Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Crown money is tainted money, and it has no place in politics. Big corporations have too much power over politics and politicians, and they exercise that power through political donations. Because these big corporations make political donations to Liberal, Labor and National, decisions get made in this place that are in the vested interests—not for the public interest. We have seen, time and time and time again, good legislation and good reforms that are for the welfare of the Australian people be stymied in this place by politicians who take money and whose parties take money from these big corporations, including Crown casino.

We have seen it in the past, when very, very important reforms being brought by the then member for Denison and now member for Clark to deal with the surge of problem gambling in this country were scuttled. Why?

It is no coincidence that the major parties were taking donations from the gambling industry for years and years and years, and as a result families and people around this country and children continue to be devastated by the effects of problem gambling because the establishment parties in here are on the take. They are taking money from the Crown casino. It is time to get this money out.

See this speech in context