ID :
23516
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 17:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23516
The shortlink copeid
Rees wants political donations banned
(AAP) NSW Premier Nathan Rees wants political donations to become a thing of the past, saying taxpayer-funded elections are the only way to ensure the political system is squeaky clean.
Mr Rees has reignited talk around donation reform a day after the Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) handed down its report into the trading of sex
and bribes for development approvals at Wollongong City Council.
The ICAC found "unprecedented" levels of corruption at the council and recommended
the Director of Public Prosecution's advice be sought over charging 11 individuals,
many of whom have ties to the ALP.
Asked if he was embarrassed as a "Labor man" about the Wollongong inquiry, Mr Rees
said yes, but added that Wednesday's findings went to the broader issue of political
donations.
"I have a personal view that political donations and such should be a thing of the
past," Mr Rees told Fairfax Radio Network.
"And, election campaigns should be publicly funded to not only ensure our system is
corruption-resistant but is also seen to be corruption-resistant.
"Yes, it would cost our taxpayers and our state more money, but we would at least be
able to say that ... our election system is as clean and as squeaky clean as we can
possibly get it."
He added he'd like to see the entire donations system scrapped.
Such a move would go one step further than the recommendations from a cross-party
parliamentary inquiry in June.
It recommended that all donations, except gifts of up to $1,000 a year from
individuals, be banned in order to end a perception that money buys influence in the
NSW political system.
But Mr Rees noted a need for consistency in donation reforms with other states and
federally.
He said an expert report into the issue would be released soon.
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said former premier Morris Iemma promised to
reform political donations seven months ago and in the interim went on to raise $3
million.
"Labor won't act because they're addicted to donations," Mr O'Farrell said.
He admitted the Liberals had also held fundraising events in that time but it
"wasn't within a bull's roar" of the ALP's efforts.
Mr Rees has reignited talk around donation reform a day after the Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) handed down its report into the trading of sex
and bribes for development approvals at Wollongong City Council.
The ICAC found "unprecedented" levels of corruption at the council and recommended
the Director of Public Prosecution's advice be sought over charging 11 individuals,
many of whom have ties to the ALP.
Asked if he was embarrassed as a "Labor man" about the Wollongong inquiry, Mr Rees
said yes, but added that Wednesday's findings went to the broader issue of political
donations.
"I have a personal view that political donations and such should be a thing of the
past," Mr Rees told Fairfax Radio Network.
"And, election campaigns should be publicly funded to not only ensure our system is
corruption-resistant but is also seen to be corruption-resistant.
"Yes, it would cost our taxpayers and our state more money, but we would at least be
able to say that ... our election system is as clean and as squeaky clean as we can
possibly get it."
He added he'd like to see the entire donations system scrapped.
Such a move would go one step further than the recommendations from a cross-party
parliamentary inquiry in June.
It recommended that all donations, except gifts of up to $1,000 a year from
individuals, be banned in order to end a perception that money buys influence in the
NSW political system.
But Mr Rees noted a need for consistency in donation reforms with other states and
federally.
He said an expert report into the issue would be released soon.
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said former premier Morris Iemma promised to
reform political donations seven months ago and in the interim went on to raise $3
million.
"Labor won't act because they're addicted to donations," Mr O'Farrell said.
He admitted the Liberals had also held fundraising events in that time but it
"wasn't within a bull's roar" of the ALP's efforts.
