Better Reporting of MLA Finances

[Manderson, Roland]

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MEDIA RELEASE  MEDIA RELEASE 

ACT GREENS MLA KERRIE TUCKER

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TUES 5 DEC 2000

Better Reporting of MLA Finances

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Greens MLA Kerrie Tucker is proposing new annual reporting requirements for
all MLAs - members who represent political parties and independent MLAs
alike.

"It's really important that the community can be confident that politicians
are working honestly.  For that reason there must be full information
provided by MLAs and for that information to be readily accessible" Ms
Tucker said today.

Ms Tucker will introduce a Bill into the Legislative Assembly this week
which requires members to submit annual returns to the Electoral
Commissioner which disclose information on the income, electoral expenditure
and financial interests of themselves, their spouses and dependent children.
The Electoral Commissioner will provide conditional public access to the
returns.

"These reporting requirements merge the existing annual reporting
requirements for independent MLAs in the Act with the Declarations of the
Private Interests of Members provided to the Clerk of the Assembly" Ms
Tucker said.

Earlier this year, a discrepancy between the reporting requirements for
independent members and representatives of political parties was brought up
in the Assembly. During debate, the Labor Party made the point that in
seeking to standardise the requirements the Government had effectively
lowered the bar; and suggested the bar be raised instead.

"The ACT Greens have picked up on that suggestion, and drafted a Bill which
will ensure that all donations, gifts, interests, income and expenditure is
on the public record."

"Trust is a crucial factor in the compact MLAs have with constituents. At a
time when the ethics of politicians is in the media spotlight, we need
honesty and improved transparency. My Bill will ensure we move in that
direction" Ms Tucker said.  


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Roland Manderson    ACT Greens 
Kerrie  Tucker  MLA's   Office 
ACT    Legislative    Assembly 
GPO Box 1020 Canberra ACT 2601 
6205 0841(ph)     6205 0007(f)
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