2015-10-08
In parliament this week, the ALP, Liberal and National parties voted against a Greens motion to refer political donations reform to the Electoral Matters Committee.
“This was another lost opportunity to reform Victoria’s old and inadequate political donations laws,” Greens Justice spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik said.
“Along with the Commonwealth, Victoria is amongst the least regulated jurisdictions in the western world in terms of political finance law.
“In the six and a half years since the Electoral Matters Committee last reported on these issues, based on a motion moved by my colleague Mr Barber, other states and territories have tightened their political donation laws, especially in terms of disclosure.
“In most states and territories now, donations above $1,000 or $2,000 have to be disclosed, while in Victoria donations less than $13,000 do not have to be publicly disclosed.
“Other states have also banned donations from entities such as those holding liquor and gaming licenses and from property developers* but these are still allowed in Victoria.
“The Greens motion asked the parliamentary committee to consider the changes made in other jurisdictions over the past six years and how Victorian donation law could be improved.
“The government used the excuse of the need for national consistency as its reason for opposing the motion. While national consistency around these issues is desirable, nothing has been achieved at the national level in the last six years and so the government using that as an excuse for lack of action in Victoria just doesn’t wash.
“The ALP, Liberal and National parties have consistently refused to support much needed reform of Victoria’s donations laws.
“Their decision to oppose the Greens motion this week is a message to the community that they are happy with the ongoing inadequacy and lack of transparency regarding political donations in Victoria.
“Victorians want and deserve greater transparency and accountability regarding political donations,” Ms Pennicuik said
For further comment Sue Pennicuik 03 9530 8399
* The High Court yesterday delivered its decision on the validity of state bans on developer donations to political parties. The court supported the bans, finding that developer money was a valid corruption risk and one that it was appropriate for the state to regulate.
Greens Political Donations Motion: Electoral Matters Committee:
That this house, pursuant to section 33 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003, requires the Electoral Matters Committee to inquire into, consider and report no later than 1 August 2016 on —
(1) whether the Electoral Act 2002 and/or the Local Government Act 1989 should be amended to create a system of political donations disclosure and/or restrictions on political donations; and
(2) the outcomes of similar legislative reforms introduced in other relevant jurisdictions, particularly in the last six years.
View Sue’s speech here: http://greens.org.au/political-donations-motion-electoral-matters-committee