Political donations Tasmania: Breakthrough in bid to shepherd reform through parliament

A bill imposing new restrictions and transparency requirements on political donations in Tasmania is a step closer to becoming law, with a crucial debate finally set to happen after an 11-month delay.

Labor MLC Sarah Lovell at Glebe Hill Village. Picture: Chris Kidd

Labor has welcomed the opportunity to debate legislation reforming the state’s electoral system and reducing secrecy around donations to political parties.

After nearly a year languishing without consideration, the Electoral Disclosure and Funding Bill bobbed to up near the top of the notice paper in the Legislative Council on Wednesday.

Labor’s Sarah Lovell accused the government of stalling progress of the legislation and filibustering to chew up parliamentary time to stop the laws being in operation before the next state election.

“After six years of delays from the Liberal government and eleven months of this bill sitting on our notice paper, we’ve seen some pretty blatant tactics over the last couple of weeks of delaying that legislation – with every tactic that the government had at their disposal,” she said.

“But it looks as though they might finally have run out … and we will be getting to that bill today.

“There are a number of independent members who have indicated that their preference would be to sit late to get this bill done so I’m hopeful that that will be the decision of the council and we will be able to sit late.”

Ms Lovell said passing the bill in some form was more important than progressing amendments such those proposed to enforce truth in political advertising and reducing donation disclosure thresholds to below the proposed $5000 threshold.

She said it was clear the bill was far from perfect.

“This is about making sure that we have some donation disclosure legislation in place by the next election,” Ms Lovell said.

“If we would have pushed ahead with our amendments at this point, we would have no chance of that.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the legislation would be progressed with appropriate priority.

“We’ll get it done. We’re committed to it. We introduced the legislation., there’s amendments been brought forward, as I understand, so we’re committed to it, we’ll get it done,” he said.

“The opposition have been fantastic at filibustering their way through the last few sessions of parliament, frankly also stunt motions as well, wasting the people of Tasmania’s time.

“We’re here to get on with the job and that’s why we’ve got a lot of legislation through in recent times.

“That’s why we are committed to the electoral donations bill.

“If and when it comes downstairs to the House of Assembly, following the thorough review, and indeed, including potential amendments, we’ll debate that accordingly.”