Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before the debate was interrupted, I was saying that different political parties have different approaches and histories on this very issue, so I would suggest that we should not paint all political parties with the same brush on the issue of political donations. But I do thank Senator Lambie for providing the chamber with an opportunity to at least reflect on some of the proud history that federal Labor has in this particular subject.

Back in the eighties, it was former prime minister Bob Hawke who first introduced political donation disclosure regime reforms. It was Prime Minister Hawke's government that established an electoral commission, independent from government, that now publishes details about how political donations are managed and via a transparent register. Under the political donations regime established by federal Labor, donations over $1,000 had to be declared. It was subsequently a Liberal government that increased the threshold to $10,000 and linked it to $10,000. That's how we've ended up with the current disclosure threshold of $15,000.

It was also Labor's amendments while in opposition that linked public election funding to its campaign expenditure. These amendments prevent political parties from profiting off our electoral system. And, of course, it was Labor that acted to protect our democracy from foreign interference, forcing the then coalition government to ban foreign political donations.

But we know our task on political donation reform is not done. I think a significant theme out of the election last year was that Australians deserve far more integrity and transparency in our political system. Obviously a significant component of how Labor is delivering on this front is the National Anti-Corruption Commission, but further political donation reform is also important. I think that has been acknowledged by the Special Minister of State, Senator Don Farrell.

In opposition, it is important to note, we did bring forward legislation before the Senate to lower the disclosure threshold, back to a fixed $1,000, and required donations to be closed within seven days. This would have brought our donation laws in line with community expectations and given every Australian the opportunity to see who donates to politicians, before they go to the ballot box.

The Albanese government understands that political donation reform isn't just about doing what's popular in any given sitting period; it's about setting up an effective system that meets community expectations and can also withstand the inevitable political shifts and changes that occur in this place and across Australia more broadly. That is why this kind of reform is most effective and sustainable when it is implemented with broad support of this parliament.