Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move a motion to refer a matter to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, and to vary the resolution of appointment for this reference.

Leave granted.

I move the motion in the terms circulated in the chamber.

(1)   That the following matter be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for inquiry and report by 30 September 2011:

Options to improve the system for the funding of political parties and election campaigns, with particular reference to:

(a)   issues raised in the Government's Electoral Reform Green Paper – Donations, Funding and Expenditure, released in December 2008;

(b)   the role of third parties in the electoral process;

(c)   the transparency and accountability of the funding regime;

(d)   limiting the escalating cost of elections;

(e)   any relevant measures at the State and Territory level and implications for the Commonwealth; and

(f)   the international practices for the funding of political parties and election campaigns, including in Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States of America.

(2)   That, for the purposes of this inquiry only, paragraph (3) of the resolution of appointment be amended to read:

That the committee consist of 12 members, 3 Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Government Whip or Whips, 4 Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Opposition Whip or Whips and 1 non-aligned Member, 2 Senators to be nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, 1 Senator to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and 1 Senator to be nominated by any minority group or groups or independent Senator or independent Senators.

(3)   That this resolution be communicated by message to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

Question agreed to.