Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I had a question for the assistant minister, who asserted that this legislation was all about taking big money out of our electoral system—something that everyone here on the crossbench does agree with. We do need far greater transparency and we need to take the influence of big money out of our electoral system.

However, I'd like to ask a question about the fairness of the way that this bill is structured. I want to give the example of two candidates in an electorate. One is able to spend $800,000 and $800,000 only. The other candidate, who is part of a party, is able to spend $800,000 plus potentially another $1 million, as long as their name isn't mentioned. I'd like to hear from the assistant minister how that can be portrayed as fair and equal and a level playing field.

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