Senate debates
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Questions without Notice
Donations to Political Parties
2:18 pm
Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Special Minister of State, Minister Farrell. After two years of promises, yesterday the government finally introduced electoral reform legislation. But there's no ban on fossil fuel companies donating to big political parties who keep approving new coal and gas mines, there's no ban on accepting corporate donations and there seem to be massive loopholes in the form of nominated entities, which will ensure that the war chests of the big parties can be grandfathered in and spent on national campaigning up to $90 million. When one in three voters chose to vote for someone other than the major parties at the last election, why has the government introduced legislation that favours the two-party system at the expense of smaller parties and new entrants?
2:19 pm
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank Senator Waters for her question. We haven't done that. We have done exactly—
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Do you want to hear the answer? We haven't done that. What we have done with this legislation is give ordinary Australians a chance to participate in the electoral system in this country. We have taken big money out of this process so that ordinary Australians like these ones here and maybe even some of those over there can participate in the electoral system. We don't want an American style electoral system in this country. We get one chance in the next week to do something about preserving and protecting our electoral system. We're introducing transparency. We're introducing accountability. When you go to the polls after this legislation has been introduced, you'll know exactly who the people are that have donated the $2.1 million to the campaign of Senator Pocock over here. If you're going to make a decision about voting for Senator Pocock, you'll know exactly who is supporting him.
We won't just made it harder for coal companies, gas companies and betting companies. We'll make it harder for every company. Every company in this country is going to find it more difficult to make donations, not just the companies you don't like. I understand Duncan Turpie will continue his massive donations— (Time expired)
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Waters, first supplementary?
2:21 pm
Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The second bill introduced yesterday is to legislate truth in political advertising. This is a welcome and much-needed reform that needs to be implemented alongside any increase in public funding to ensure that taxpayer money is not spent on misleading campaigns. Yet you've said you won't progress that bill. Why are you delaying actually legislating truth in political advertising?
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I thank Senator Waters for her first supplementary question. I support the truth in advertising legislation. I saw it at work in the Black by-election in South Australia. Unfortunately, I know the Greens vote collapsed—
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Yes, it's very sad. I know the Greens vote collapsed in that by-election, and you're obviously very worried about it. I won't get onto what happened to the Liberals—
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. I've got Senator Waters on her feet.
Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
On a point of order—this is why we need truth in political advertising; our vote went up—my question went to why you are delaying those reforms.
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Waters, if you are on your feet, you need to indicate that you're calling a point of order. You didn't do that.
Honourable senators interjecting—
I'm going to remind those at the back of the chamber that, when Senator Waters asked her question, she was heard in silence. I'm asking you to stop the interjections so the minister can continue with his answer.
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
You're right, Senator Waters. The real collapse on Saturday was on that side of the chamber. There was a 20 per cent swing to the Labor Party. The truth in advertising provisions were used in that election because these people were making false claims about the Labor Party. I see the benefit, but, as I've said to you on— (Time expired)
Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Senator Waters, second supplementary?
2:23 pm
Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
According to polling released yesterday by the Australia Institute, 80 per cent of voters believe that electoral funding reform legislation should be scrutinised before passage. Why are the two big parties, who both agree on this bill, rushing it through and not allowing a Senate inquiry to scrutinise these reforms? What exactly are you trying to hide with what is clearly a two-party stitch-up?
Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Absolutely nothing, Senator Waters, and, so far, I haven't heard that the coalition are supporting the legislation. We still have to get a decision from them. I'm hoping they'll see the sense in taking all of this big money out of the system. But, Senator Waters, we've been working through the system for 2½ years. How many inquiries do you want to understand that you've got to take big money out of the electoral system? How many inquiries? We've had two JSCEM reports. The Greens have participated in all of them. We've had non-stop negotiations with the Greens, with the coalition and with anybody else who's wanted to talk to us. At a certain point, it's time to make a decision. Either you want big money out of the system or— (Time expired)