Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his question. Isn't it interesting, the line-up of people opposing this legislation? There's Clive Palmer, there's Senator Pocock and there's Senator Waters. What a combination of people opposing this legislation. Now, can I say to you, Senator Pocock, that I know you were able to spend $2.1 million at the last election. But, with all these fine people up here in the military, one day, some of them might be—

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd be happy to get you to clarify: if it wasn't $2.1 million, what was it? But to all of these people up here: the cap that we're proposing to introduce for a lower House election is $800,000. That must be enough money to get your message across. Think about this: you'll be subject to that $800,000 but so will your competition.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know Senator Lambie here, originally, was a United Australia Party candidate and a beneficiary of the great generosity of Clive Palmer. But these people up here, one of these days some of them are going to want to participate in the electoral process. I say to them: we're introducing a cap of $20,000 on donations. How many of you could afford to put your hand in your pocket and hand over to Mr Pocock, who you may wish to support, a $20,000 donation? These are reasonable limits. I believe they are limits that will survive a High Court challenge.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It has taken longer than I would have liked. But we can't waste a day, because the important changes— (Time expired)

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's a certain irony here that perhaps you haven't noticed, Senator Pocock. You want more spending on senators in the ACT, but you're opposed to the parties getting more public contribution to the election process. There's a certain irony about the position that you're promoting. Can I say this: I've been in the role of Special Minister of State now for some years. I'm on the record as supporting increased Senate representation. And I've said this to you every time you've raised it with me—you grab me in the corridors here and say, 'Senator, can I talk to you about this?' I say to you: 'Look, we're going to have a look at this after the next election. Now is not the time to do it.' But can I say this? There was— (Time expired)

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Look, I want to make it clear. I'm not afraid of any of your questions, Senator Pocock, and I thought I was answering them as directly as I possibly could. You and I have had direct discussions. We've had face-to-face discussions about this issue. I bet you anything, if you look at the history of legislation that's passed this parliament, this bill would not be the quickest ever to have gone through the parliament. We have had 2½ years of discussions. The first JSCEM report laid out the plans. We've had a second report. Every time your colleagues have asked for meetings or the Greens have asked for meetings, I've had meetings. There won't be anybody in this place who votes on this legislation next week who doesn't know what they're voting about. (Time expired)