Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition will not support these amendments. Public funding of elections and political parties is in the public interest because it helps to reduce the influence of private political donations in the electoral process. The Australian Labor Party has a clear and consistent commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in relation to political donations. I have already referred to the mischaracterisations of the deal between the Labor government and the Australian Greens—who, to borrow a phrase from Senator Simms and Senator Di Natale: 'every vote, every parliament, every time'.

The Greens party also claims to be committed to reforming political donations, in particular their supposedly pure-as-the-driven-snow democracy spokesperson. But, while she can walk the walk, in the discussion to date we are not seeing that she can talk the talk. Senator Rhiannon will have the opportunity to put her money where her mouth is when, during the later stages of this debate, Labor moves amendments to give effect to our shared commitment to political donations reform. But the Australian Greens have already sold out their commitment to marriage equality, to put it on hold until their deal with the Liberals on Senate voting reform can occur. I will be curious to see how Senator Rhiannon responds to her commitment on political donations reform. This will be addressed with further amendments—but I digress.

The public funding of political parties in elections plays an important role in our democracy. Labor is always willing to look at how the system may be improved, but that should not occur in a rushed or truncated fashion. Absent a proper process with JSCEM—or an alternative process, given recent limitations with JSCEM—with an opportunity for submissions from all stakeholders, Labor believes that it would be imprudent to alter the current arrangements. Accordingly, we cannot support Senator Leyonhjelm's amendments and this time.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that amendment (1) on sheet 7866 be agreed to.

Question negatived.