Donations law alarm

NEW legislation to change Tasmania’s political donation disclosure laws are open for public discussion and there are already concerns they contain a “sting in the tail”.

The government says it is delivering on its commitment to introduce a more transparent and modern political donation disclosure scheme in Tasmania.

But independent member for Nelson Meg Webb says the “long-awaited and long-overdue” reforms contain a “disturbing sting in the tail”.

“The release of the political donations reforms for public consultation should be a welcome development,” Ms Webb said.

“However, as always seems to be the case with this government, the proposed reforms contain a sting. This draft Bill sets $5000 as the public disclosure threshold amount – despite public and commentator calls for $1000 threshold.”

The government’s Electoral Act Review Final Report, released in February, stated a threshold of $1000 would be in line with the majority of submitters to the review as well as the general trend in other jurisdictions.

Ms Webb said she sounded a warning during the 2021 election campaign that the voluntary listing of political donations of $5000 should not be used as a stalking horse to set a higher disclosure bar than was indicated as best practice elsewhere.

“We all saw what a farce the voluntary listing of amounts of $5000 or above was during the election, with one political donation announced by parties subscribing to that amount. Tasmanians deserve platinum-plated political donation laws, not this version tarnished with political self-interest.”

Attorney-General Elise Archer said the reforms would not only provide for the disclosure of political donations but reporting of electoral expenditure and public funding at an appropriate level for both administrative and “per vote” funding.

“This will increase transparency while ensuring that the public continues to have confidence in the outcomes of elections into the future and, importantly, will bring Tasmania in line with other jurisdictions which have state-based requirements for the disclosure of political donations and expenditure.”

The Bills are available for public comment through the Department of Justice website at https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation. Submissions close September 28.

Read Meg’s Donation Reform media release