Peter Andren (Calare, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I support the member for New England in this set of amendments, particularly those pertaining to the retention in this legislation of the disclosure requirements for publishers and broadcasters. I make the point that, where there is an increase in the amount of the donation to $10,000 before a declaration is required, as is proposed in this legislation, combined with the current practice of nil returns from most if not the overwhelming majority of party candidates, and then coupled with the elimination of the requirement for the media to report, it leaves absolutely no way for an individual, Independent or other candidate to seek information about how that opponent candidate’s election is funded. It beggars belief that anybody could consider that this is a move towards more integrity and a more transparent electoral process.

It has been suggested to me by the opposition that their global reporting process provides for sufficient delineation of those donations, but I can tell you that there is absolutely no way, unless these media returns are fully furnished, that I or anybody else—a member of the public or a candidate—can find out who has spent money on behalf of which candidate in any particular electorate. I strongly recommend that the House support these amendments.

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