Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I move amendment (5) circulated in my name:

(5) Schedule 1, item 34, page 14 (line 27) to page 15 (line 6), omit subitems (2) and (3).

This is an amendment to schedule 1, item 34, and is in relation to gifts for federal purposes. This is consequential to the other amendments but clearly goes to the intent of this miscellaneous measures bill introduced by the government and supported by Labor. This seeks to undermine any kind of transparency in political donations and accountability that is at least introduced at state level but is simply non-existent at the federal level. The High Court has made it clear that the previous attempt by the government was unconstitutional, and this is simply an attempt to get around the High Court ruling. Members supporting this bill should be held accountable for the fact that they are going directly against the wishes of the Australian people. Eighty per cent want more transparency in political donations, and these amendments I have moved seek to do that, in contrast to the miscellaneous measures of the bill, which seek to obfuscate where donations are coming from.

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