Media Releases

Open the books - call for political donations transparency [20th Jan, 2000]
by Senator Andrew Murray

Donations to political parties of more than $1500 via political clubs, trusts and foundations should be disclosed, according to Australian Democrats Accountability spokesperson, Senator Andrew Murray.

Senator Murray today outlined three political donation reform proposals in his address to Australian Shareholders Association members at the Masonic Centre in Sydney.

Also on the Australian Democrats 2000 reform agenda is greater political party regulation, and, for donors who are public corporations to have their donation policies approved by shareholders, and for full donations disclosure in annual reports.

Senator Murray outlined his concerns about the power, politics and money relationship in an address titled, "Corporate Political Donations – Altrusism or Corruption?".

According to Senator Murray, ever since the first political donation changed hands, money has been used to influence electoral outcomes and the process of government.

"If that is an inescapable reality the question is then not how to stop it, but how to control it," Senator Murray said.

"Corruption best flourishes in the dark, in secret. The more open and accountable our political system is, including the financing of politics, the less the chance of corruption.

"Money and electoral success do seem to go together. Whether money dictates the next step - the exercise of undue access and corrupting influence - is harder to determine."

Senator Murray said ordinary citizens view large political donations with suspicion because of what they see as the obvious link between money, politics and policy.

"The public demand for transparent and fully reported political party funding and disclosure is proper, insistent and must be heeded," he said.

"Political parties should be legally required to provide explicit details of the true sources of their donations and the destinations of their expenditure. In other words, to prevent harm to the practice of democracy in Australia, donors to political clubs and trusts need to be exposed.

"To ensure compliance, regulations need to be vigorously enforced and penalties for failure to comply need to 'hurt'. The side benefits of such accountability would be a revival of faith in the integrity of the political system amongst the wider public, and the protection of the public from the undue influence of donors to political parties.

"I'd like to see that."