[Greens-Media] Government squanders opportunity for meaningful political donation reform

[Jamie Parker]

Commenting on the NSW Government's proposed legislation, Greens MP Jamie Parker said: "Today's announcement by the Premier fails to fully address the urgent need for political donation reform in NSW.

"While the Liberal/Nationals' proposal is a step in the right direction, it fails to adequately limit political donations, improve disclosure and reduce overall spending on election campaigns.

"The Greens have long called for increased penalties and we welcome these tougher sanctions.

"The public should be concerned about the cloak of donation secrecy in the high-spending two-month period before the election.

"It is at this time that parties spend significant amounts on advertising, yet if the Liberal/National government has its way, political donations will remain secret from the public prior to the election.

"It is also disappointing that the extension to the time limit of prosecutions will not be retrospective to include politicians who have been implicated at the recent ICAC inquiries.

"It seems that retrospective legislation is fine as long as it doesn't apply to their own politicians," said Mr Parker.

ENDS

Further comment from Jamie Parker MP: Louise Stewart, 0431 662 943.