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AEC data shows total payments to political parties hit $1 billion; Greens call for real reform

Lee Rhiannon 1 Feb 2017
Democracy
The Greens’ Democracy for Sale project has found the total amount of declared donations and payments made to Australian political parties since 1998 has topped $1 billion.
 
“The Greens strongly support adopting much timelier reporting of donations and payments, and lowering the threshold for disclosure,” Greens spokesperson for democracy Senator Lee Rhiannon said. 
 
“We have called for both of those things for a long time and we will continue to. But we need to go much further. 
 
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Labor is right about overseas donations, but we must go further

Lee Rhiannon 31 Jan 2017
Democracy
Labor’s support for lowering the disclosure threshold and banning overseas donations is welcome, but if they are serious about removing the influence of money on politics they should join Greens’ calls for strict caps on donations and election expenditure.
 
Greens research and analysis through the Democracy for Sale project has predicted that tomorrow, when AEC donations data is released, the total amount of declared donations and payments made to Australian political parties since 1998 will reach $1 billion. 
 
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Turnbull’s – keep my diary secret stance - out of step with world democratic standards

Lee Rhiannon 23 Jan 2017
Democracy
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s refusal to release his official diary is out of step with democratic trends that have seen both former British Prime Minister David Cameron and former US President Barack Obama automatically release details of their official appointments, Greens democracy spokesperson Senators Lee Rhiannon said. 
 
“The PM should drop his legal challenge to the decision of the Information Commissioner that his official diary for the day he took office be made public,” Senator Rhiannon said. 
 
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Turnbull failed to heed ICAC – promoting Sinodinos another PM blunder

Lee Rhiannon 19 Jan 2017
Democracy

MEDIA RELEASE

18 January 2017

Turnbull failed to heed ICAC – promoting Sinodinos another PM blunder

The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to promote Senator Arthur Sinodinos in his mini Cabinet reshuffle reflects the PM’s arrogance and poor judgement, Greens industry spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

“It is extraordinary that the Prime Minister has promoted Mr Sinodinos in light of his role as a company director and his dubious evidence at ICAC hearings,” Senator Rhiannon said.

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Lee's Travel Expenses November 2016

Lee Rhiannon 11 Jan 2017
Democracy

Lee's duties as a Senator for NSW and a portfolio holder for the Australian Greens require her to travel both within NSW and interstate. Senate related travel is paid for using parliamentary allowances.

As Australian Greens spokesperson for democracy Lee has long campaigned for more scrutiny of how MPs use allowances and  for this information to be made public as close to real time as possible.

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Ley’s expenses scandal – more evidence of why we need a national ICAC

Lee Rhiannon 9 Jan 2017
Democracy

MEDIA RELEASE
9 January 2017

Ley’s expenses scandal – more evidence of why we need a national ICAC

The latest MP expenses scandal involving Health Minister Sussan Ley further strengthens the case for both a National Anti-Corruption Commission and a major overhaul of the use of MP allowances, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.  

“This scandal will not be the last involving an MP abusing public money.  It should be a wakeup call for the Turnbull government,” Senator Rhiannon said.

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An end of year message from Lee

Lee Rhiannon 13 Dec 2016
Democracy
I would like to wish you all the best for the holiday period and the New Year. 
 
2017 will be a critical year in meeting the challenges of action on climate change, ending inequality and protecting our natural environment. 
 
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