Limits on election spending needed to restore robust democracy
Limits on the amount of money political parties, candidates and campaigners can spend on elections are needed to restore trust in democracy and achieve greater political equality, a Parliamentary Committee will hear today.
The Human Rights Law Centre, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania will give evidence on Monday to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters which is currently reviewing election spending.
The inquiry comes after Queensland businessman Clive Palmer donated almost $84 million from his company Mineralogy Pty Ltd to his own Federal election campaign in 2019, allowing him to outspend both major parties.
Alice Drury, Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre:
“Now and over the coming months, the Government will be making unprecedented and important decisions. Trust in government is vital, and it cannot be achieved without transparency and accountability. Today, we are talking to the Committee about reforms that will restore trust in our political system.”
“Whether rich or poor, everyone should feel empowered to have a say on issues that matter to them at election time. Without spending caps, our election debates are dominated by those with the biggest bank balance, not those with the best ideas. We need limits on election spends, so rich people can’t far outspend everyone else,” said Drury.
A survey in 2018 found that Australians’ satisfaction with democracy plummeted from 86 per cent in 2007 to just 41 per cent in 2018. Of the people surveyed 73 per cent were in favour of limits on how much money could be spent in an election and donated to political parties.
Jolene Elberth from the Australian Conservation Foundation:
“The 2019 Federal Election highlighted the clear need for spending limits at the federal level. As is, there’s no limit to how much candidates, parties, or campaigners can spend trying to influence election debates, meaning those with the biggest wallets can buy a disproportionate amount of political influence, drowning out the voices of others.
“The Federal Government’s regulation of money in politics is extremely weak when compared with other democracies – like the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada – and even many Australian States and Territories,” said Elberth.
Mark Zirnsak from the Uniting Church:
“There is a great need to restore trust in our democratic system. No government can undertake major reforms when trust is at such low levels. Reforms to remove the unfair influence of those with large amounts of cash to spend on swaying the outcomes of elections is one important step in rebuilding that trust”, said Zirnsak.
New South Wales, Tasmania and the ACT all limit the amount of money political parties, candidates and campaigners can spend during elections. Queensland is likely to introduce spending limits in the near future.
Read the submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Media here.
Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, Communications Director: 0419 100 519