Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I'm going to start again. What I'm about to say echoes the concerns of other Independents and minor parties—namely, that these so-called electoral reforms are a massive stitch-up by the major parties to cement their power and influence in the colony.

Labor went to the last election promising electoral reforms, giving voters the impression that the days of corporate influence over our political system would be over, that the battlers and everyday people would be better represented. 'That was dishonest!' said the President. The bill before us does offer some small, positive changes to give these pretend Labor and Liberal politicians some talking points to distract and gaslight the public into thinking this is a good bill. But that is not the truth.

The bill goes some way to limit influence from major donors, with donation caps and more transparency around political donations, by lowering the disclosure threshold. But it also brings in a suite of measures to make the whole system more undemocratic and less representative of the people in this country. Look at this place! When you walk outside, this place does not represent the people out there. Look how white this place is.