Explore our plan
- Strengthen Lobbying Regulations
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The revolving door between politics and vested interests erodes public trust and gives corporations undue influence over government decisions.
Since 2001, every resources minister in both Coalition and Labor governments has transitioned to roles in the fossil fuel industry.
Stronger lobbying regulations will ensure transparency and stop politicians from prioritising industry mates over the public good.
The Greens' plan:
- Enhance accountability by including in-house lobbyists in the Lobbying Code of Conduct and enforcing more substantial breach penalties.
- Increase transparency in lobbying by requiring Ministers to publish meeting diaries.
- Strengthen lobbying oversight by extending the ban on former ministers' lobbying from 18 months to five years and applying it to senior staff.
- Amend Section 44 of the Constitution
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Parliament should reflect Australia’s diversity, yet Section 44 of the Constitution creates barriers for over half the population.
ABS data shows 51.5% of Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was, and many face disqualification from an election due to dual citizenship. Section 44 also excludes public servants, including teachers, nurses, and firefighters, unless they quit their jobs to run.
These outdated rules hinder Australians from participating fully in the political process. Reforming Section 44 is long overdue to ensure Parliament truly represents our community.
The Greens' plan:
- Hold a referendum to amend Section 44, allowing dual citizens and other disqualified groups to run for office. The referendum would be held at the same time as a general election, minimising costs to the taxpayer.
- Increase ANAO funding
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The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is vital in providing independent oversight of government spending. However, it is underfunded, limiting its ability to uncover waste and pork-barrelling.
Pork barrelling erodes public trust in politicians, in government and wastes taxpayer money.
The Greens' plan:
- Allow the ANAO to conduct more government audits each year by increasing funding by 5%.
- Increase public participation in decision making
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Trust in our political leaders and institutions is incredibly low after years of blatant misuse of public funds.
Democracy should go beyond casting a vote; it should include genuine public participation in decisions that shape our lives and future, delivering better policy and outcomes and stronger, more cohesive communities.
A Public Interest Democracy Fund, administered by the Department of Parliamentary Services, will support trials of innovative programs and digital platforms to put people back at the heart of parliament.
The Greens' plan:
- Empower communities by establishing a $10 million Public Interest Democracy Fund. This fund will support trials of innovative programs and digital platforms to increase democratic participation.
- Foster better decision-making by funding citizen juries to report back to parliament.
- Enhance public engagement by funding resources and technology upgrades for online petitions and remote voting.
- Encourage community-driven debate by enabling petitions with over 5,000 signatures to trigger parliamentary discussion.
More information on this policy initiative will be released soon.