The measures follow mounting public concerns about the growing reliance of politicians on donations. Read more at straitstimes.com.
SYDNEY - Australia’s ruling Labor Party has launched a push to finally curb political donations and limit the influence that “big money” has on policymakers in Canberra.
Currently, parties must disclose donations annually, meaning that the public often does not learn about donors and funding until long after the election. There have also been concerns about the ability of wealthy individuals to exert influence in Canberra or buy their way into Parliament.who is worth an estimated A$24 billion and is the country’s fifth-richest person, has spent vast sums of money to promote his United Australia Party, formerly called the Palmer United Party.
The think-tank said that reform was crucial to ensure that “elections are a contest of ideas rather than dollars”. The chair of the committee, Ms Kate Thwaites, a Labor MP, said the changes will bolster transparency and confidence in electoral processes at a time when democracy is under growing threat around the world.
The Coalition said any spending caps should not only apply to political parties but to other organisations that fund electoral campaigns. This proposal was designed to combat the growing number of progressive independent MPs, known as the “teals”, who have been targeting seats held by the Coalition.
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