Fed: Faulkner proposes end to political funding "arms race"

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2008
Fed: Faulkner proposes end to political funding "arms race"

CANBERRA, Dec 17 AAP - Proposals to ban political donations from unions and businesses
and a cap on campaign spending by political parties, form part of a new federal government
green paper.

Special Minister of State John Faulkner said there was an urgent need to reform campaign
funding laws in a bid to end the spending "arms race" among the major political parties.

"I've been concerned for many years that campaign fund-raising practices have the potential
to degrade the public's trust in the political process," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"There's a public perception of undue influence that needs to be addressed."

The electoral reform green paper proposes greater disclosure, tighter reporting timeframes
and a broader definition of the types of donations disclosed as well as a limit on spending
by political parties and third parties.

The paper invites public submissions until February 23 and Senator Faulkner said he
wanted changes to the laws introduced before the next federal election.

The opposition used its numbers in the Senate before July to delay for a year a bill
requiring public disclosure of the origin of donations over $1,000, from its current level
of $10,900.

AAP keh/rl/maur/bwl

KEYWORD: FUNDING

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.