The Greens have today welcomed news that a bill for Senate voting reform will be introduced into parliament this week, calling on opposition leader Bill Shorten to back the changes that are supported by many within his own party.

"Over 12 years the Greens have been putting forward legislation for Senate voting reform that ends back room preference deals and puts power back into the hands of voters," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:43): It is time to end the farce of 1 February, which is the Australian Electoral Commission political donation disclosure day. I am not blaming the AEC. It is the law that is an ass when it comes to how our political donations are disclosed. This is not a day of transparency; it is actually a day when we are reminded how urgently we need electoral funding reform.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:43): Margaret Henry, a wonderful community activist, sadly died in September last year. Margaret was a Newcastle transport and heritage advocate, a former Newcastle university history lecturer, a Greens councillor, an activist on big and small issues across five decades and a dedicated mother and grandmother.

Today's release of last years' political donations data shows disclosure is too slow and corporate donations too influential, say the Australian Greens.

"Integrity is shaping up to be a huge issue this election year. The Liberals are singling out one group in society, but refusing to look at their mates in the corporate sector and the bigger question of donations distorting our democracy," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

Corruption in politics shouldn't be accepted as business as usual. We need a National ICAC to clean up politics across Australia.

Across NSW communities and local councils are campaigning to keep local government local.

MEDIA RELEASE
24 November 2015

Liberals, Nationals, Labor join forces to vote against a National ICAC; reiterate support for corporate donations

The Coalition and Labor party have struck another blow against democracy by voting down a Greens motion calling for a ban on for-profit corporate political donations and for a federal corruption watchdog to be established.

"The recent High Court decision to uphold a ban on developer donations in NSW has opened the door for the major parties to clean up Australian politics.

The Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has welcomed the decision of the NSW Premier Mike Baird to add his voice to the growing call for national uniform political donation reform.

"Now we have state premiers backing the call for political donation reform, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should ensure the changes are in place before the next federal election," Senator Rhiannon said.

"The High Court case handed down last week cleared the way for the quick passage of reforms.

The Greens are calling on Prime Minister Turnbull to support legislation for a ban on political donations from select industries following former Newcastle Mayor Jeff McCloy's defeat in the High Court today.

"The High court's decision to uphold a NSW ban on political donations from the developer, tobacco, gambling and alcohol industries is good news for democracy," said Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon.