[Greens-Media] Campaign reform is small step towards cleaner politics

[John Kaye]

Campaign reform is small step towards cleaner politics
 
Media release: 21 September 2010
 
The Greens are disappointed that Premier Kristina Keneally failed to impose effective caps on party and candidate expenditure, and will allow corporate donations to continue to taint political decision making in NSW.
 
Greens NSW MP John Kaye said: "The Premier lost the ideal opportunity to end money politics once and for all.
 
"If a corporation is able to give $2,000 to each candidate plus $5,000 to the party, sums of up to $191,000 could still be influencing decision making.
 
"The $100,000 cap on candidate expenditure in each seat, plus another $100,000 per seat for registered parties, are too high to stop politics being dominated by campaign funding.  
 
"In the 2007 election a candidate spent over $100,000 in only 12 of the 93 electorates. The proposed cap on candidates does not impose much of a restriction.
 
"On top of their candidates' expenditure, the Labor party spent nearly $17 million and the Coalition $7 million on the 2007 state election.  
 
"If Labor still has that sort of money, they would have to reduce their expenditure to $9.3 million. That would be an improvement, but  it is still too high to restore public confidence.
 
"The Greens welcome the restrictions on third party campaigning, but the $2,000 donor limit is still too high.
 
"If the aim is to take power away from cheque books and restore it to the people, then the limit should be $200.
 
"While The Greens are now big enough to survive the impacts of a tiered funding model, we are concerned that the details might create barriers to other political parties obtaining a foothold.
 
"A vibrant democracy should provide opportunities for new and emerging parties to put their case to the people. It should be up to the voters to decide if they like a party and its messages.
 
"I look forward to meeting with the Premier to discuss these issues," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000