Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Fair Competition) Share this | Hansard source

I will not say what I plan to say twice, because I know Senator Madigan's proposed amendment deals with substantially similar issues and I have indicated to Senator Madigan that I will be addressing a number of those in my response to his amendment. I will indicate that the coalition will not be supporting the amendments moved by Senator Rhiannon.

There are a number of things Senator Rhiannon mentioned that I think are improved by considering the wider historical context. I would suggest a couple of things. Yes, there is an increase in nomination fees for the Senate, but I think the increase in fees pales in comparison with the cost of actually running a campaign, which I accept both Senator Rhiannon and Senator Madigan have raised as also being costly. The other thing I would point out is that in the past nomination fees have actually been substantially higher. In fact, at our first election I believe the fee was £25 which, particularly in proportion to average weekly earnings, would represent quite a substantial jump. The coalition believes, as we said in the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, that these changes are necessary. I will go into more detail when I respond to Senator Madigan's amendment.