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The Australian Greens say electoral funding data released today by the Australian Electoral Commission reveals that political donations in the 2013-2014 financial year hit a record $202 million, which is an increase of 600 per cent from the previous year.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (12:44): I move:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to prohibit political donations from certain industries, and for related purposes. Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Donations Reform) Bill 2014.
Question agreed to.

Senator RHIANNON: I present the bill and move:

That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
Question agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

The Australian Greens have called on all parties to support the call of the former head of the NSW ICAC for a national anti-corruption body to be set up with the powers of a royal commission (ABC Four Corners http://tinyurl.com/n26uovu).

"If Labor and the Coalition do not now back a national ICAC the obvious question will be what do they have to hide?" Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

MEDIA COMMENT

Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has responded to reports that the Treasurer is pushing ahead with a series of exclusive high powered fund raising events for his election fund raising body the North Sydney Forum.

"Mr Hockey should release the list of attendees to reduce the perception of donation deals done behind closed doors," Senator Rhiannon said.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:36): The New South Wales disease of dodgy deals for mates is not just confined to Labor. The coalition, only three years after coming into government, have a spate of Liberal MPs caught up in investigations at the Independent Commission against Corruption.

Lee moves a motion to increase regulation of lobbying, calling for the government to provide a legislative framework and to establish of an Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying. 

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (16:39): I move:

Cross-Posted at the Democracy4Sale blog

Prominent Liberal-linked lobbying firm Crosby Textor Research Strategies Results has managed to avoid joining the Federal Lobbyists Register until after the September election due to a major loophole in the federal lobbying law.

Responding to the Australian Electoral Commission’s release of public funding to political parties, Senator Lee Rhiannon the Australian Greens Spokesperson for Democracy said,

“The AEC’s announcement that $56 million of public funding has been provided to political parties and independents for the 2013 election, puts the spotlight on the need for electoral funding reform that restricts the amount of private money used in elections and places caps on election expenditure.

Australian Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has called for Labor and the Coalition to commit to legislating to ban corporate donations to political parties and to voluntarily disclose online all political donations over $1000 donated in the current election.