Democracy for Sale

Media release by Tasmanian Greens leader Nick McKim

The Tasmanian Greens today have called for a state-based political donations scheme to be in place by the next election, in light of the millions donated to the Liberal and Labor parties in 2010-2011 by vested interests, revealed by the Australian Electoral Commission’s latest political donations figures,

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said Tasmania is one of the few remaining states which doesn’t have separate state-based political donations disclosure laws, and that Labor is dragging its feet on taking promised action.

Mr McKim also challenged Liberal Leader Will Hodgman MP to return any donations received by Big Tobacco if he is genuine about reassuring Tasmanians that such donations do not influence Liberal policy.

“Tasmania deserves the best quality democracy the state can provide but Tasmania’s voters remain in the dark about who is giving how much to which political party,” Mr McKim said.

ABC PM program, 1 February 2012

MARK COLVIN: The latest political donations figures from the Electoral Commission have rekindled debate about cash and influence in government and opposition.

The figures have laid bare the money that vested interests have funnelled to parties and politically-driven campaigns.

They show that the ALP and the Liberal and National parties raked in more than $200 million in donations in the last financial year.

The data have renewed calls for reform.

Media release by Senator Richard Di Natale 

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that Labor and the Coalition are reaping the benefits from problem gamblers.

“Clubs have made a lot of money from problem gamblers and now we know that the Opposition and Government have too,” said Senator Di Natale.

“Clubs and hotels donated $1.85 million last year to the Coalition and Labor parties, while simultaneously campaigning against pokies reform.

“Julia Gillard and Tony Abbot have both expressed sympathy for the families that are torn apart and children who have gone hungry because of problem gambling. Now we know that they are happy to accept their money to stock up their campaign war chests.

“Labor and the Coalition have hit the jackpot with their pokies windfall and given the weak reforms proposed by the government, the industry has as well.”

Media contact: Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600

Media release by Senator Lee Rhiannon

New data released today by the Australian Electoral Commission for 2010/2011, showing that $24.7 million dollars in donations has flowed to the federal divisions of Labor and Coalition parties, helps explain the reluctance of the Gillard government and Coalition to show leadership on federal funding reform, says Greens Senator and Australian Greens democracy spokesperson Lee Rhiannon (download the summary here).

“This new donations data shows that the culture of donations is alive and well in Australia and that industries such as mining, gambling and ethanol are continuing to line the pockets of Labor and the Coalition,” Senator Rhiannon said.

“Federal Labor disclosed $12.1 million, though only $10.8 million were donations above the $11,700 threshold, the federal Coalition parties disclosed $9.3 million and the Australian Greens disclosed $3.1 million in donations.