Labor has today given notice that it will introduce legislation in the Senate to deliver its planned political donation reforms this week.
Federal member for Blair said Labor had taken political reform to the last election and vowed to continue fighting for it.
“The public has made it clear that they want significant donation reform,” Mr Neumann said.
“We made it an election promise and we are proud to keep fighting for improved transparency and greater accountability.”
Mr Neumann said the Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten wrote to the Prime Minister earlier this year outlining Labor’s intention to:
- Reduce the donation disclosure limit from the current level of $13,200 (indexed to inflation) to a fixed $1,000.
- Prohibit the receipt of foreign donations.
- Ban ‘donation splitting’ where donations are spread between different branches of political parties and associated entities – like the Free Enterprise Foundation – to avoid disclosure obligations.
- Ban the receipt of anonymous donations above $50.
- Link public funding to campaign expenditure.
- Introduce new offences and increased penalties for abuses of the political donation disclosure regime.
The legislation to be introduced in the Senate this week will deliver on these proposed reforms.
“People across Ipswich and the Somerset Region have expressed their support for donation reform.
“The majority of Australians and the majority of Parliamentarians support it as well.
“It is time for Malcolm Turnbull to show some leadership and ensure that his party supports these important changes in the Parliament.
“Labor has made its position on this matter abundantly clear since before the last election.
“The Turnbull Government should now support these important measures designed to improve the political donations system and public confidence in its integrity.”
