MEDIA RELEASE
17 December 2013

Legislating the ministerial code of conduct will stop Abbott trashing it

Responding to reports that Prime Minister Tony Abbott will wind back the ministerial code of conduct, Australian Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon will push for the current version to be legislated when parliament resumes.  

“The Prime Minister’s plan to weaken the ministerial code of conduct is designed to reduce bad news stories as fewer Ministers will be caught out if the rules are weakened,” Senator Rhiannon said. 

DECEMBER 2013

20131210 Barnaby Joyce Travel to LNP colleague Hajnal Ban’s wedding, $600

NOVEMBER 2013

20131106 Barnaby Joyce Rugby League State of Origin 2012 + others, $4600

OCTOBER 2013

MEDIA RELEASE

10 December 2013

Joyce wedding bells toll for clean-up of MP expenses

The Greens say the latest embarrassment for the Abbott government with another Minister repaying public money spent on wedding travel costs highlights the need for a major clean-up of MP entitlements and online open disclosure.

MEDIA RELEASE
5 December 2013

Call for federal ICAC, ban political donations – solution to political corruption

Commenting on news reports about allegations linking Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos and Liberal MP Karen McNamara with problematic political donations, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has called for the establishment of a federal corruption watchdog and a ban on corporate donations.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (15:57): I move:

That the Senate-
(a) notes that:

(i) political donations for the 2013 federal election made on or after 1 July 2013 will not be made public until 1 February 2015,

(ii) political donations under $12 400 do not have to be disclosed by parties or candidates to the Australian Electoral Commission, and

(iii) this higher disclosure threshold level means the public is not aware of the details of a large number of political donations received by political parties; and

(b) calls for:

MEDIA RELEASE
22 November 2013

Conservative electoral changes damage democracy, benefit major parties

Commenting on proposed Queensland election law changes, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said the Newman government plan could be a forerunner for a federal Coalition push to use electoral reform to consolidate their power.

Greens leaflet for Reform Senate Voting campaign.

If you would like copies of this leaflet, please contact Lee Rhiannon's office.

The Greens plan removes the power of political parties to direct votes in ways that are contrary to voters' intentions while ensuring that minor parties and independents are not disadvantaged in an election. 

MEDIA RELEASE
6 November 2013

Greater openness, FOI key to ending MP expense abuses

Responding to the latest report of MPs misusing public money to attend sporting events, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said greater openness is the key to raising standards in public life.