[Greens-Media] Iemma*s donations plan: transparency but no belt tightening

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - 28 February 2008

Iemma*s donations plan:  transparency but no belt tightening

Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says Premier
Iemma*s donations reform plan continues to allow the Labor
Government to solicit and bag massive donations to fund its re-election
campaigns.

 *Premier Iemma*s plan, which focuses on transparency, fails to put
in place any bans or caps on political donations, limits on campaign
expenditure or processes for the public funding of elections,* Ms
Rhiannon said.

*Mr Iemma just does not seem to get it - disclosure alone will not
remove the widespread public perception that donations to the major
parties influence decision making. 
 
*Only by banning developer donations can the public be confident that
donations are not unfairly influencing government decision-making.

*By giving greater power to Labor*s central party office to
organise donations Premier Iemma is trying to reign in individual MPs
who have been highly successful in their fundraising endeavours but
caused the government grief in the past.

*Mr Iemma*s pledge that Minister Sartor will consider ICAC*s 2007
recommendations on corruption and development is an old promise and no
guarantee the recommendations will be adopted.

*These reforms will do nothing to ease the public perception that
political donations are a form of bribery.

*Making it easier to see what donations are passing above the table
is essential, but the risk of corruption still continues without bans or
caps on political donations, limits on campaign expenditure or processes
for the public funding of elections.

*Mr Iemma should go back to the drawing board and bring forward the
important changes needed to put a lid on the growing donations scandal
engulfing his government,* Ms Rhiannon said. 

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


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

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