Will the Albanese government embed a dark money duopoly or restore trust with Australians? (1 Feb 2024)
In an opinion piece for WAtoday titled "Will the Albanese government embed a dark money duopoly or restore trust with Australians?", Kate Chaney, the Independent MP for Curtin, addresses the pervasive issue of undisclosed political donations, or "dark money," in Australian politics. Published on February 1, 2024, Chaney's article coincides with the annual disclosure of political parties' funding sources, a process she criticises for its lack of genuine transparency due to the significant portion of funding that remains hidden from public view.
Chaney highlights that over the last two decades, only 21% of the major political parties' private funding has been transparently disclosed, leaving the public largely in the dark about the origins of the remaining funds. She describes the current system as a complex web of loopholes and rorts, including "cash for access" dinners and business forums, which allow for substantial financial contributions to political parties without the need for disclosure. This system, according to Chaney, enables a significant amount of money to be funneled into political parties anonymously, undermining the integrity of the democratic process.
The article points out that both the Liberal and National parties utilise more than 60 entities to receive donations, which can be split to avoid disclosure thresholds, a practice not exclusive to any single party but prevalent across the political spectrum. Chaney argues that this lack of transparency erodes public trust in the political system and calls for comprehensive reform to address these issues.
To combat the problem, Chaney has introduced the "Restoring Trust" private members' bill, which proposes 13 reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing financial influence in politics, and leveling the playing field for all candidates. These reforms include lowering the donation disclosure threshold, requiring timely disclosure of donations, and implementing measures to limit the financial influence of donors on political decision-making.
Chaney's piece is a call to action for the Albanese government to choose between maintaining the status quo, which she argues would further entrench a "dark money duopoly," or working with the crossbench to implement meaningful reforms that restore public trust in the political system. Her advocacy reflects a broader concern about the decline of trust in democracies worldwide and the urgent need for reforms to ensure that political decisions are made in the interest of the many, not the few.
Related article: The secret donors behind the millions in 'dark money' fuelling WA politics (4 Jan 2023)
