Page 2453 - Week 06 - Thursday, 10 May 2012
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engaging in the public debate. What it will do is encourage organisations to make a choice: do they really want to enter the public and political debate and campaign directly, putting their own name and face to their views, or would they prefer to allow the discourse to carry on without them? The Democratic Audit of Australia put it very well when they said:
Such limits effectively encourage organisations to have the public courage of their political convictions: to spend money campaigning directly, rather than by funding political parties or candidates.
It is important to note that this approach of limiting donations to individuals has already been adopted by New South Wales. It was quite amusing that day when we were deliberating on the report and Mrs Dunne came in. She had hoped that I had not heard the radio and had not seen the news that Mr O’Farrell had come out and supported the natural person. Anyway, we did have a bit of a laugh about it. I have to say that Barry O’Farrell is certainly somebody I have respect for now on that particular matter.
On the constitutional issue, the committee had advice from Professor Anne Twomey. Professor Anne Twomey gave evidence to the committee. She stated quite clearly that this was constitutional—that there were not any constitutional problems or issues with it. We are very pleased that this will be getting support today.
Ordered that the question be divided.
Ms Hunter’s amendment No 4 part (2A) negatived.
Ms Hunter’s amendment No 4 part (2B) agreed to.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Leader, ACT Greens) (10.34): I move amendment No 5 circulated in my name [see schedule 9 at page 2479].
This amendment is consequential on the previous amendment that was not passed.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development) (10.34): The government does not support this amendment. This amendment is contingent on clause (2A), which has just been defeated. Therefore amendment No 5 is unnecessary.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Leader, ACT Greens) (10.34): Madam Assistant Speaker, we would request just a few moments to sort out where we are up to on these amendments, considering that the last amendment did not get through. We are just a bit confused about where we are up to at this point.
Sitting suspended from 10.35 to 10.40 pm.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Leader, ACT Greens) (10.40): I seek leave to withdraw my amendment No 5.
Leave granted.
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