THE LABOR AND LIBERAL/NATIONAL PARTIES have cut a backroom deal to push through electoral laws that kneecap charities like the Climate Council from speaking out during elections.
Backed by both major parties, the laws passed near midnight last night, after debate was cut inside Parliament and questions from minor parties and independents went unanswered. The legislation gives the Labor and Liberal/National parties an extra $80 million of taxpayer money per election to fund their political campaigns, but makes it much harder for charities, independents, and minor parties to hold power to account.
The bills ban charities from using general donations on public communications about 'electoral matters', which includes commentary on issues like climate change during an election campaign.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said the dirty deal is an attack on democracy and truth in politics:
"This law kneecaps charities from doing their essential work during elections. By silencing independent voices, the Labor and Liberal parties are making sure Australians only hear from politicians on issues like climate change.
"This law gags independent and fearless advocates like the Climate Council from speaking out on the very issue we were set up to solve. How will Australians know what politicians are up to on climate change, if the only voices left in the debate during elections are politicians or their financial backers in the fossil fuel industry?"
And it's not just charities being silenced. The major parties have also stitched up the rules to disadvantage independents. Meanwhile, the big parties will still be able to pull in millions through their state branches, effectively sidestepping the new donation limits.
The new law does nothing to crack down on the real threat to democracy: the influence of vested interests and big corporate donors. Instead, it targets the very organisations working in the public interest while the Minerals Council, Business Council and unions get special exemptions.
"Voters want fair and transparent elections, not politicians rigging the rules in their own favour," said Ms McKenzie.
"This isn't reform, it's a power grab that entrenches political power at the expense of our climate and Australian voters."
