Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Spike in donations to independents after election spending caps pass parliament (14 Feb 2025)

Independent candidates, including Kate Chaney, Allegra Spender, Zoe Daniel and David Pocock, have seen a surge in donations following the passage of controversial electoral reforms capping individual candidate spending while allowing major parties to spend millions. The backlash highlights growing voter frustration, with independents pledging to challenge the reforms in the next parliament.

Read More
Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

‘Not true’: MP crashes Labor minister’s doorstop on donor reforms (13 Feb 2025)

Independent MP Kate Chaney has slammed Labor’s electoral reforms as a “major party stitch-up,” warning they will entrench two-party dominance by limiting donations to independents. Zali Steggall, Jacqui Lambie, and other crossbenchers have also voiced strong opposition, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in Australian democracy.

Read More
Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Donations fix damages democracy (5 Feb 2025)

Proposed changes to Australia’s political donation laws could severely disadvantage independents while strengthening the major parties. Independent MP Kate Chaney and others warn that these reforms will entrench the two-party system by restricting funding for challengers while increasing public money for Labor and the Coalition.

Read More
Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Forget donations. This is where the major parties make millions (3 Feb 2025)

New AEC disclosures reveal that Labor and Liberal parties receive millions through exclusive pay-for-access programs for executives and lobbyists, far surpassing traditional donations. Amid concerns over political influence, the Albanese government is pushing for new campaign finance reforms ahead of the next federal election.

Read More
Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Police slam anti-Semitic graffiti in riverside Perth suburb of Dalkeith (3 Feb 2025)

Western Australian police are investigating anti-Semitic graffiti in Dalkeith, with MP Kate Chaney stating, “I’m shocked by the really disturbing anti-Semitic graffiti in Dalkeith overnight. This has no place in our community or any community.” Political leaders, including Anthony Albanese have condemned the attack amid rising concerns over anti-Semitism in Australia.

Read More
Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Chaney says Nature Positive is teal deal (25 Jan 25)

Curtin independent Kate Chaney aims to revive the Federal Government’s Nature Positive laws if a hung Parliament emerges, accusing WA Premier Roger Cook and PM Anthony Albanese of prioritising politics over environmental protection. She remains hopeful the bill can move forward despite its previous collapse due to industry pressure.

Read More
Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Independent MPs sceptical of Dutton's nuclear plan (16 Dec 2024)

Curtin MP Kate Chaney criticised Peter Dutton’s nuclear power plan, citing the CSIRO’s findings that nuclear is “about 50 per cent more expensive than renewables.” Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned the plan could cost $4 trillion in lost economic output by 2050, setting up a key election battle over Australia’s energy future.

Read More