Contribution to the Election Donation Debate
The current rules only require candidates to disclose donations made prior to 30 days before the election. This means that the community is not make aware of significant donations made in the last 30 days of the election campaign, or even after the election itself.
Councillors and MPs should be made to declare all significant donations in their Disclosure of Interest Return, which is accessible to the public.
I don’t think banning donations would be effective, because it would push campaign contributions underground. However, a cap on contributions, particularly from corporations, might curtail the excessive influence corporations can have.
I would support some public funding towards the campaign expenses of local government candidates. This would enable a broader range of people to run, including those of lesser financial means.
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Public funding is the only viable solution to return democracy to the people of NSW. Every candidate, from the major parties to independents, should be given the same allocation of funds (funds would vary according to the size of electorates).
When all the candidates start off on the same level only then will an even contest develop; Parties will be forced to contest all seats equally, good candidates will stand out from party ‘hacks’, candidate’s financial management will be tested with a limited budget and maybe only then will the notion of ‘all politics is local’ will truly be more than a cliche.
Any change in funding laws must ensure all loopholes are covered otherwise it will only breed more corruption though this time futher underground and harder to stop.
Comment by Serge Knezevic | Tuesday 1 April 2008