State political donation reform must occur before state election

The Tasmanian Greens today said it was unacceptable that it was taking so long to get any movement from Attorney General Brian Wightman on state-based political donation reform and that there was still no guarantee that the reform would occur before the 2014 state election.

Greens Leader, Nick McKim MP, said that the current federal election campaign highlights the urgent need to introduce reforms to ensure that when Tasmanians go to the state polls they know who is donating what to whom in real time.

“Tasmanians deserve to know where parties are drawing their funds from and in a timely manner so that they can go to the polling booths and cast their votes with as much information at their disposal possible,” said Mr McKim.

“With modern information and communication systems there is no reason why the public cannot expect real time disclosure of donations to political parties.”

“The federal election is a timely reminder that voters will go into the election blind as to who funded the various parties and politicians as this will not be disclosed under the federal laws until the first of February 2015.”

“Federally voters are only entitled to know about donations larger than $12, 400.”

“Labor seem to be dragging their feet on this reform and it is to the detriment of Tasmanian voters.”

“Minister Wightman got up and spoke in favour of the reform, but again was unable to commit to a timeframe.”

“Given the Minister’s public consultation process on the state-based political donation reform closed in early 2012 it is incomprehensible that this legislation has been delayed,” Mr McKim said.

“It is urgent that this legislation is introduced into the parliament so that we can have it done and dusted before the election next year,” Mr McKim said.
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader