Push to 'clean up' political donations (20 Mar 2024)
Newcastle Herald: Political donations would be limited to $1.5 million under a crossbench push to "clean up politics" but the reforms won't cap spending on elections. Independents and the Greens have teamed up to get the changes over the line in time for the next federal election. But the Albanese government has criticised the proposal as leaving a loophole for wealthy candidates to fund their campaigns with no limit in a single seat.
The Fair and Transparent Elections Bill will be introduced to the upper house by senators David Pocock and Larissa Waters, while Curtin MP Kate Chaney will put it to the House of Representatives. Almost all the crossbenchers in parliament have backed the bill to cap donations, require truth in political advertising rules and real-time disclosure.
The legislation proposes capping individual donations at 2 per cent of the total public funding provided at the last election, which was $1.5 million. Anthony Albanese was quizzed in parliament by Ms Chaney who asked if draft reforms would be designed by the two major parties to lock out political competition. The prime minister said democracy was undermined when big money was spent on elections. Special Minister of State Don Farrell previously flagged laws would be brought this year but wanted support from across the parliament to make sure changes would be passed.
