George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

No, it does not—because this is not a matter of wilful blindness or blindness at all. Let us be very clear. We have a very thorough system, under the Commonwealth Electoral Act, which requires the disclosure of donations. The purpose of that measure is that it is an integrity measure, so the public can inspect the record and be satisfied that who gives money to which political parties is a matter of transparency. My side of politics complies scrupulously with those obligations.

Senator Di Natale, you seems to be implying that a political party that accepts donations in accordance with the law—from people who, under the law, are entitled to make them—and declares them in accordance with the law and is otherwise compliant with all of its obligations is, somehow, nevertheless subject to a taint of corruption. That is a disgraceful and foolish thing to say. (Time expired)