Government sets crosshairs on 'billionaire' political donors, including teal backers (24 Sep 2024)
Article summary: The federal government is set to propose electoral reforms aimed at limiting political spending and individual donations, provoking opposition from teal independents and mining billionaire Clive Palmer.
Electoral Affairs Minister Don Farrell outlined the planned reforms, which include caps on both campaign spending and individual donations to curb what he describes as a "full-blown arms race" in election financing. Farrell has faced delays in introducing the bill, which aims to be "lawsuit-proof" against potential challenges, particularly from Palmer, who has previously contributed millions to his political party.
Independent MP Kate Chaney has also advocated for similar reforms in her private member's bill, proposing that no single donor should contribute more than 2% of total donations. While the government seeks broad consensus for the reforms, tensions remain with teal independents, who rely on large donations to compete with major parties.
Farrell criticised this model, suggesting it fuels campaigns not by grassroots support but by substantial contributions from large donors. The government's reforms will also introduce strict disclosure requirements for donations above $1,000.
However, the prospect of bipartisan support for the bill remains uncertain, as the Coalition and crossbenchers are divided on key elements, including campaign spending limits and the introduction of truth standards for political ads, which the government plans to enforce in line with South Australian legislation.
