While the Liberal party reaped mega dollars at Nine’s Monday fundraiser, Nine and its chief executive faced a backlash from staff at the company’s recently acquired former Fairfax newspapers.
Simon Chapple, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
In the aftermath of a controversy surrounding New Zealand’s opposition party, discussions now focus on reform of party donations to avoid the potential of political influence.
Public trust in government is sliding and there’s a perception that a small elite is reaping the benefits of political influence. This points to the need for a federal anti-corruption body.
The annual February festival of lampooning the largest visible donor lulls Australians into a false sense of security that there is a functioning political donations disclosure regime in place.
The public release of secret intelligence can have a powerful impact on the political environment, as the revelations regarding Sam Dastyari demonstrate.
The Sam Dastyari episode underscores the need for clear-cut rules to prevent those with links to foreign governments from using money to influence the political process.
The struggle for political equality has shaped Australian democracy. But it’s undermined by having a political donations system that benefits the rich at the expense of other Australians.