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

I proudly, again, second the motion for the second reading of the member for Indi's bill, the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Disclosure of Political Donations) Bill 2021. This bill will increase transparency of political donations by reducing the threshold for disclosure of political donations from $14,500 to $1,000, increasing the reporting frequency to every quarter for donations of $1,000 and above, and requiring that donations above $14,500 be reported within five days. Currently, there's already a double standard between the time line of donation reporting for Independents here on the crossbench and the time line for the major parties.

I welcome these changes. For too long, money has been hidden from view and from public scrutiny. We do not know who is paying for access to politicians and members in this place and for influence over decisions. The documentary Big Deal, recently aired on the ABC and viewed by many around the country, has shocked many Australians. There's no doubt that money has a disproportionate role in and impact on Australian politics. It was revealed that over 55 per cent of donations to the ALP and over 65 per cent of donations to the coalition were undisclosed. The unashamed portrayal of cash for access and influence was and remains horrifying. As Clive Palmer's United Australia Party spends obscene amounts of money advertising its deceptive platform, we are at risk of upheaval like after the US 2020 election. We've already seen it in our major cities, with rioters against COVID health orders.

Transparency is essential to good governance and public trust in democracy. Our democracy should not be for sale. At the last election, only 25 per cent of Australians had trust in the federal government—according to the Australian National University, an all-time low. And I would suggest that the events of this parliament have done nothing to help that trust. I have no doubt that the lack of transparency contributes heavily to that and I urge both sides of politics, the major parties, to embrace this bill—to embrace reform. We have seen an all-time low when it comes to accountability and transparency. There's always a lot of gaslighting, there are always a lot of statements made by both sides of politics, but very little action; it never translates into actual legislative action. I would strongly say to this parliament and to the Australian public that that is what the crossbench is delivering. We are looking at reforms, the governance that needs to happen in this place, to ensure we raise the bar. We need to raise the standard of Australian federal politics.

It's absolutely time for this place to earn back the trust of the Australian people. We need to reveal where the donations are coming from. There needs to be transparency. Our political system, our democracy, simply should not be for sale to the highest bidder. So I thank the member for Indi for bringing this bill to the House. Today is a day when integrity and standards are being pushed by the crossbench. We are seeing a number of pieces of legislation. From lies in political advertising to donations to spam to an integrity commission, these are all important questions of governance that need addressing, and I urge the members of this place to debate and vote on this legislation and other bills presented today. I commend the bill to the House.

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