Key Lib cool on donations rule reform

TREASURER Peter Gutwein says there is no need for greater disclosure of political donations because the system works well.

The state’s once-a-year disclosures of political donations is being left behind by developments in other states, which are introducing real-time disclosure via websites.

The vast majority of payments to Tasmanian political parties are never made public because they are less than the $13,000 reporting threshold.

But Mr Gutwein says the system is working fine.

“MPs have disclosure, ministers have disclosure and the Australian Electoral Commission sets a strong framework for disclosure,” he said.

“We don’t believe there’s any need to change.”

Federal MPs Andrew Wilkie and Jacqui Lambie, as well as the Greens, say reform of the state’s political donation laws are well overdue.

But Mr Gutwein said the issue was not on the Government’s agenda.

“MPs declare their interest each year,” he said. “Ministers declare and disclose and the Australian Electoral Commission has a strong framework in place currently in regards to the disclosure of political donations.

“We believe the system is adequate, but again this demonstrates Labor and the Greens are bereft of ideas.”

Mr Gutwein said the Government would this week progress law and order reforms through Parliament to better protect police from assault.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said her party would be making a big push for donations reform in the remaining days of Parliament.

“There has been steadfast resistance to donations and electoral reform in Tasmania by both the Liberal and the Labor parties,” she said.

“And little wonder. It is in their political self-interest not to be transparent about where their money comes from, which corporate donors have tipped money into either of the major parties and what may or may not have been promised in return.”

She said the issue had been highlighted by the Liberal Party accepting a $30,000 donation from a company with links to the Chinese Community Party.