[Greens-Media] Donations law changes: timetable needed on donations ban

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release 16 April 2008

Donations law changes: timetable needed on donations ban

Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says Premier Morris
Iemma must immediately outline his timetable for introducing laws that
ban donations, now he has promised a first round of donations law reform
by June 2008.

“NSW Labor Party Secretary Karl Bitar told the Greens the big ticket
donations law changes will be put in place by 2011, but it needs to
occur much more rapidly,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Premier Iemma can produce radical new law and order laws in weeks.
Surely on the donations issue, which risks sinking his government, he
can do better than 2011.
 
“If Labor doesn't act quickly the public will see millions of dollars
in donations continuing to stream into the coffers of the major parties,
directly or through party fundraisers.

"The laws Premier Iemma will introduce mid year merely tinker around
the edges. 

"The real change will come when donations are banned and limits placed
on what parties can spend on election campaigns.

"If Premier Iemma was really serious about the donations issue he could
direct his party to stop taking donations from corporations and other
organisations tomorrow.

"The Greens have a comprehensive plan for how to reform donations laws
and a number of countries, including Canada, have successfully
introduced bans on political donations. 

"The job of reforming donations laws in NSW is manageable and time is
of the essence.

"The public deserves action on donations reform, not just talk," Ms
Rhiannon said.

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568, 9230 3551


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au