The Hobart City Council’s formal vote supporting tougher political donations disclosure laws for local government candidates increases pressure on Premier Will Hodgman to introduce comprehensive disclosure laws for state political parties and candidates.
“HCC should be congratulated for showing leadership, just as Mr Hodgman should be condemned for failing to meet the standard of transparency that Tasmanians deserve,” Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim MP said today.
“Tasmanians are faced with the prospect of a donations disclosure regime for local government, while Mr Hodgman’s apathy leaves us with nothing at the state level.”
“It would be laughable for local government to be exposed to the disinfectant of sunlight, while State parties are still able to hide the bulk of their political donations.”
“Is Mr Hodgman going to reject amending legislation to introduce greater local council political donations transparency, so he can justify maintaining the veil of secrecy over the Liberal party’s donations? Or will he commit to introducing long-overdue state based political donations disclosure reforms, including real time disclosure, lowering the disclosure threshold and imposing spending caps on parties and candidates?”
“If the Liberals have nothing to hide, there is no good reason to keep blocking these reforms which will strengthen our state’s democracy and improve Tasmanians’ confidence in their systems of government,” Mr McKim said.