Tasmanians have been kept in the dark for too long as the major parties rake in donations from their corporate donors in return for political favours. The Greens are committed to ensuring voters can follow the money in election campaigns.
Today, we’ve tabled a bill to strengthen transparency by lowering the disclosure threshold for money donated to influence election outcomes.
Our Electoral Disclosure and Funding (Amendment) Bill 2024 lowers the donation disclosure threshold for parties, candidates and third parties from the current $5000 to $1000 in line with the recommendations of a Senate inquiry and democratic best practice.
The major parties’ corporate mates aren’t donating out of the goodness of their heart. There’s an expectation of a quid pro quo — one which often comes at the expense of Tasmania’s people and environment.
The Liberals’ donation laws, passed last year, are still the weakest in the country. Donations under $5,000 are hidden from the public, and voters go to the polls without knowing who’s funded their candidates’ campaigns. It’s toxic to a healthy democracy.
The Tasmanian Greens have been transparent about our donations for years. It’s time the Liberal and Labor parties were open and honest about the donations they’re receiving from destructive industries like the gambling, salmon farming, tobacco, mining and property developers.
The Greens’ suggested changes have been considered by a parliamentary committee, and received broad support. We hope that our colleagues in both house of Parliament will support our amendments to fortify Tasmania’s democracy in the interests of the people we were elected to serve.
It’s time to take the secrecy out of political donations and restore public trust in democracy.
