Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Well, I've got to strongly disagree with you, Senator Patrick, and this is not just a theoretical disagreement; this is a very practical disagreement. Much larger not-for-profit organisations that were getting captured by the initial draft of the ban on foreign political donations and the increased disclosure reporting requirements were very concerned about the level of red tape it would impose on them. The level of red tape on smaller not-for-profits that would inevitably be captured through this Greens amendment would be entirely disproportionate and would not be appropriately balanced. We are absolutely in favour of appropriate balancing facilitating political participation by all while also of course pursuing the public interest in disclosure. But we believe the current arrangements appropriately balance those requirements and what is in front of us does not.