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Donation millions in party coffers puts Keneally under pressure on reform plan
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Commenting on the millions of dollars in the election campaign war chests of Labor and the Coalition, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Kristina Keneally to publicly state that legislation to reform political funding will be in place before the next election.
Sydney Morning Herald today. SMH, page 5.
"With Labor and the Coalition parties still holding the fund raisers and banking the big cheques the reputation of the Premier and opposition leader Barry O'Farrell on political funding reform is damaged," Ms Rhiannon said.
"The Premier should publicly respond to the NSW parliamentary report released last Friday that called for electoral funding reform legislation to be in place before the next election.
"The latest release of information by the Election Funding Authority on the millions of dollars raised by Labor and the Coalition parties undermines the sincerity of Ms Keneally and Mr O'Farrell on political funding reform.
"Since the 2007 state election the Coalition parties have raised $19.5 million and Labor $16.5 million.
"Right now it looks like a business as usual state election. Mr O'Farrell has held 192 fundraisers in the second half of 2009.
"In this period Labor received $2.5 million while the Coalition parties received $1.9 million.
"Legislation to reform electoral funding is urgently needed.
"The parliamentary inquiry into political funding recommended that donations from all sources be capped at $2000, limits placed on election campaign spending and public funding allocated for election and party administration.
"To ensure any legislative change is effective for the 2011 state election the Premier needs to introduce legislation into parliament in the winter session," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
"With Labor and the Coalition parties still holding the fund raisers and banking the big cheques the reputation of the Premier and opposition leader Barry O'Farrell on political funding reform is damaged," Ms Rhiannon said.
"The Premier should publicly respond to the NSW parliamentary report released last Friday that called for electoral funding reform legislation to be in place before the next election.
"The latest release of information by the Election Funding Authority on the millions of dollars raised by Labor and the Coalition parties undermines the sincerity of Ms Keneally and Mr O'Farrell on political funding reform.
"Since the 2007 state election the Coalition parties have raised $19.5 million and Labor $16.5 million.
"Right now it looks like a business as usual state election. Mr O'Farrell has held 192 fundraisers in the second half of 2009.
"In this period Labor received $2.5 million while the Coalition parties received $1.9 million.
"Legislation to reform electoral funding is urgently needed.
"The parliamentary inquiry into political funding recommended that donations from all sources be capped at $2000, limits placed on election campaign spending and public funding allocated for election and party administration.
"To ensure any legislative change is effective for the 2011 state election the Premier needs to introduce legislation into parliament in the winter session," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
