Page backs Premier on political donations
NSW Premier Morris Iemma’s recent comments that he is prepared to look at political donations reform has received support from an unlikely quarter.
Ballina MP Don Page says he has again reaffirmed his support for the abolition of all political donations from developers, associations and unions.
“The current public perception is that corporations and organisations can buy political influence through large donations. I believe there is community consensus that the present political fundraising system must undergo a complete overhaul to address the flaws that currently exist,” Mr Page said
“It is not enough to tinker at the edges.
“My personal view is that all political donations from people who don’t have a right to vote should be banned and individual donations should be capped.
“This, together with capped public funding and capped election expenditure, would restore integrity to the electoral process.
“Our elected representatives and our governments should be chosen by the people and not organisations who have no right to vote but have large amounts of money and try to influence election outcomes.
“Our democracy should be about electing the people best equipped to govern, not those who are best at fundraising.”
