Media Releases

No Strings Attached [26th Jun, 2003]
by Senator Andrew Murray

Against a background of Labor and Liberal mudslinging over political donations, the Australian Democrats once again call for strong measures to ensure full transparency in political lobbying and political funding.

Democrats' Accountability Spokesperson, Senator Andrew Murray, said: "The recent revelations of alleged impropriety in the area of political donations are a shock lesson which tells us that the Government finally needs to confront the perception or reality of dishonesty and illegality.

"It is essential that we have a comprehensive regulatory system that legally requires the publication of explicit details of the true sources of donations to political parties, and the destinations of their expenditure.

"The objectives of such a regime are to prevent, or at least discourage, corrupt, illegal or improper conduct in the formulation or execution of public policy. But the side benefits of such accountability are a revival of faith in the integrity of the political system amongst the wider public, and the protection of politicians from the undue influence of donors.

"Donations, which have 'strings attached' should be explicitly prohibited by the Act*. The policies and practices of political parties should not be influenced by the inclinations of their donors.

"The Democrats have made a number of recommendations over many years which we believe will clean up this area of controversy and public interest.

"I refer all interested parties to our Supplementary Remarks to the Inquiry into the 2001 Federal Election.

"The essence of the Democrats recommendations is that Australia still needs much stronger disclosure laws to restrain political lobbying and make the funding of politics fully transparent," concluded Senator Murray.