❓ Question regarding the scope of planned legislation on political donations and campaign spending, specifically whether it targets Clive Palmer or also applies to trade unions. The Premier's answer outlines the intention to enhance transparency and accountability in political donations, drawing comparisons to other states and the US.
AnsweredQoN 50Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLITICAL DONATIONS
LEGISLATION
50. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Premier:
I note the Premier's
intention to introduce legislation to cap political donations and campaign
spending. Is the Premier's legislation intended only to silence Clive
Palmer or will it also apply to trade unions?
LEGISLATION
50. Mr P.A. KATSAMBANIS to the Premier:
I note the Premier's
intention to introduce legislation to cap political donations and campaign
spending. Is the Premier's legislation intended only to silence Clive
Palmer or will it also apply to trade unions?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for the question. Prior to the state election, we released a policy
in relation to election donations and election transparency. It has taken some
considerable time to draft this legislation properly, but it will deal with a range
of those issues when we introduce the legislation. The drafting process is not
yet fully concluded, but I hope it will be concluded shortly. It will bring in
laws to enhance transparency and accountability, to ensure much swifter
publication of donations soon after they are received, and deal with all those
manner of issues. We may note that in states like New South Wales and, indeed,
South Australia, similar laws are in place. I think that Australians generally
do not like to see the sort of arms race that we have seen in the United States
on these issues. I have been advised that a congressman or senator in the
United States spends up to 80 per cent of their time fundraising and only 20
per cent of their time actually doing their job. I think that sort of
system is obviously detrimental to democracy, so we will be bringing in laws
that deliver on the election commitment that we took to the election a couple
of years ago.
thank the member for the question. Prior to the state election, we released a policy
in relation to election donations and election transparency. It has taken some
considerable time to draft this legislation properly, but it will deal with a range
of those issues when we introduce the legislation. The drafting process is not
yet fully concluded, but I hope it will be concluded shortly. It will bring in
laws to enhance transparency and accountability, to ensure much swifter
publication of donations soon after they are received, and deal with all those
manner of issues. We may note that in states like New South Wales and, indeed,
South Australia, similar laws are in place. I think that Australians generally
do not like to see the sort of arms race that we have seen in the United States
on these issues. I have been advised that a congressman or senator in the
United States spends up to 80 per cent of their time fundraising and only 20
per cent of their time actually doing their job. I think that sort of
system is obviously detrimental to democracy, so we will be bringing in laws
that deliver on the election commitment that we took to the election a couple
of years ago.
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