Media Release: Flawed Political Donations Bill Amended in Upper House:- Despite Labor Vacating the Space
Flawed Political Donations Bill Amended in Upper House: Despite Labor Vacating the Space
16 November 2023
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said despite the Legislative Council securing some amendments to the Electoral Disclosure and Funding Bill, the legislation remains flawed and will not deliver the meaningful political donations reform expected by the community.
The government’s Electoral Disclosure and Funding Bill narrowly passed its final Upper House vote with 6 independent MLCs voting against it due to frustration it will entrench lack of transparency, provide public funding without appropriate election expenditure limits, and leave Tasmania still at the back of the pack nationally.
“This legislation should have been better, and it so easily could have been better,” Ms Webb said.
“I am bitterly disappointed and very angry on behalf of the many Tasmanians who have campaigned so long and so hard for further meaningful political donations reforms.
“Not only have Tasmanians been failed by the Government’s delays and third-rate legislation, but also by the betrayal of Labor who deliberately vacated the space during debate on this legislation.
“Again and again Labor voted with the government to defeat transparency amendment after accountability amendment.
“Amendments to reduce the donations disclosure threshold down from $5000 were blocked seven Labor and Liberal against the seven independents.
“Other necessary reforms including election spending caps, donations caps, and truth in political advertising could and should have been secured but Labor walked away and stood with the government.
“Despite the failures of both major parties, the Upper House did still manage to secure some amendments to the government’s badly flawed political donations legislation,” Ms Webb said.
“Significantly, the government agreed to my proposal to include a requirement for an independent review of the Act, which will provide a future opportunity to fix this deficient legislation .
“The legislation will now return to the Assembly for further consideration of the amendments negotiated by Upper House independents with the government, including my provision for an independent review of the Act,” Ms Webb said.
