Page 2786 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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and they get the benefit of that tax reform. Or, with the lease variation charge, we have seen a number of DAs put in to vary leases. Why? Because people are anticipating the reform. What this bill does is say that campaign finance reform is very important and we do not want that reform gazumped or people getting around it by action in the interim while the committee reports.
There seems to be some sort of suggestion that the committee is taking too long to report. I am sure the committee is doing a very thorough job, and the members, I think, would probably be offended by the slur that Mr Corbell has just made. I think anyone listening to this debate or anyone who reads the Hansard afterwards will come to their own judgement about the speeches that have been made and the protests that have been made by the government, and only by the government. I think people would be very clear about the interest that the government has in this.
If the government thinks the bill is faulty, then I invite the attorney to work with me to change the things that he thinks are faulty. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating and I look forward to working with the minister to improve this.
This is simply an interim measure so that the reform that is being proposed—and most people seem to be in favour of some sort of reform—is not gazumped by any party or any person. I think the notion that legitimate concerns exist over this reform process is very true. Parliaments, politicians and parties suffer when they are seen to rort the system. If any party was to accept a large donation between now and the changes to campaign financing, they would be undermining the process.
Mr Hanson: It would be immoral, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: I think it would be immoral. Moral decisions do need to be made, particularly when you are trying to be open and accountable to the community on campaign finance reform. On some days moral decisions should be taken. One would hope that, every day, moral decisions are taken. But the right thing for this place today is to approve this bill. I understand it will go through in principle.
I am happy to work with all members to improve the bill. Minister Corbell points out what he perceives as some loopholes and he casts a slur on the drafting of the bill. As always, I asked parliamentary counsel to give me a bill that would shut down these loopholes. I think the slur is unnecessary from the minister but if he has got some advice on how to make it more effective, to stop people getting around this interim measure then I would be very grateful for his support.
It is important that we get this right, it is important that we make sure that it is effective and it is important that it is open and that we are all accountable to those who put us here, the voters of the ACT, and I seek support for this bill today.
Question put:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
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