The Grattan Institute State Orange Book 2018 declares Tasmania the least transparent state

TASMANIA’S electoral donation laws have been slammed as the weakest among all states in a new report from public policy think tank the Grattan Institute.

Australia banknote and stacks of coin for savings money concept. Generic cash - notes, fifty dollars

TASMANIA’S electoral donation laws have been slammed as the weakest among all states in a new report from public policy think tank the Grattan Institute.

The state scored poorly on transparency measures because it followed the same rules as the Commonwealth in requiring parties to declare donations worth $13,800 or more — a figure in stark contrast to the $1000 threshold of NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.

The institute noted only Tasmania and the Northern Territory did not require parties to aggregate small donations from the same donor that brought them over the threshold.

As well, Tasmania lagged significantly on the time in which a donation must be declared.

The state’s rules mean donations made in one financial year are not declared until the next February. This compared to seven days during election campaigns in Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, and within 21 days in NSW and Victoria.

Tasmania ranked equal worst with the Northern Territory for transparency.

The Grattan Institute State Orange Book 2018 noted the state was reviewing the Electoral Act 2004.

“Reform of the Tasmanian donations regime is overdue: a parliamentary inquiry in 2015

found serious gaps in the state’s disclosure laws, but the inquiry’s chair says none

of the recommendations were enacted,” the report said.

“The lack of transparency on donations attracted significant attention during the 2018 state election campaign, when gambling industry leWaders took a high-profile role.

“Voters went to polls without knowing who donated how much to whom, and they won’t find out until next year.”

The terms of reference for the Electoral Act review include modernising the state’s laws, examining whether state-based disclosure laws should be introduced, and the level of regulation of third parties during election campaigns.

An interim report was forecast for the end of the year with a final report due by mid-2019.

The Grattan Institute recommended all states and territories implement a disclosure threshold of no more than $5000 and that donations be declared within seven days during an election campaign but “at least” within 21 days.