Wilkie call on $1000 political donations

Helen Kempton | Mercury Newspaper | 16 September 2021    

PROPOSED reforms to Tasmania’s political disclosure laws are too limited to prevent the growing influence of big money on politics in this state, independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie said.

In his submission to the Electoral Disclosure and Funding Bill 2021 and the Electoral Matters (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2021, the Clark MP called the reforms too little and too late.

Mr Wilkie said the threshold for reporting donations of $5000 was still too high and should be dropped to $1000. His submission also said the definition of a gift was not broad enough to capture all moneys and gifts in kind from any source.

He said a broader definition would force the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and the Federal Group to reveal their “pro-poker machine campaign expenditure over the $1000 threshold”.

“A $10,000 cap on the total amount a donor can donate during an electoral cycle would prevent the growing influence of big money in politics,” Mr Wilkie said.

Mr Wilkie declares all donations of more than $1000 in real-time and does not accept money from alcohol, tobacco or gambling companies.

His criticism follows concerns raised by Tasmanian independent MLC for Nelson Meg Webb, who said the “long-awaited and long-overdue” reforms contained a “disturbing 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 Ms Webb also suggests the donation threshold should be $1000 not $5000.

See more of Meg’s recent media.