[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Political Donations Reform Move Stalled_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

LABOR STALLS STATE POLITICAL DONATIONS REFORM IN UPPER HOUSE

Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader

Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on Premier David Bartlett to instruct
the Leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council to
immediately bring on for debate the motion passed by the Lower House to
send a state political donations disclosure laws reference to a Joint
House Standing Committee for consideration.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that in April last year, the House of
Assembly had passed this motion, and since then it has been languishing
in the Upper House where it requires the Government to bring it forward
for debate.

"Presumably the government is stalling this process because it is happy
for Tasmanians to remain ignorant about who is donating how much, and to
whom," Mr McKim said.

"Over a year and a half ago the Lower House passed a motion to send a
reference on state political donations reform to a Parliamentary
Committee for consideration, yet the government has failed to bring it
on for debate in the Legislative Council which must also consider the
motion before the inquiry can commence."

"Tasmanians deserve to know who has donated to whom before they go to
the ballot box in March next year, but due to Labor stalling this
crucial law reform this now appears unlikely."

"Labor was quick enough to ram the shonky Pulp Mill approval through
Parliament, but when it comes to an initiative which will improve
transparency, then Mr Bartlett continues to drags its feet."

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Text of Motion Waiting to be Debated in the Legislative Council

That this House:

(1) Supports the enactment of Tasmanian law requiring the disclosure of
political donations, and

(2) Refers this matter to the Working Arrangements of Parliament
Committee for their consideration and report thereon.'




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