The press gallery’s mid-winter ball, held on Wednesday, has become an institution. It raises money for charities as well as being an all-round good knees-up for media and politicians.
Labor senator Sam Dastyari has faced questions over his decision to accept money from a Chinese company to cover travel expenses.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
There are a few necessary ingredients for the effective regulation of any political donations system.
Queensland independent Peter Wellington backed Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) to form government after she promised to act on political donations.
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At long last, Australia has a government that is prepared to introduce real-time disclosure for political donations – a crucial change that lets voters make an informed choice at the ballot box.
Former NSW premier Barry O'Farrell struck a deal with ClubsNSW while in opposition.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
Political funding in Australia is governed by different rules for state (some of which do not require disclosure) and federal governments. And both levels suffer significant weaknesses.
The UK has limits on expenditure by political parties and third parties, and doesn’t allow paid advertising in electronic media at all.
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Our political donations disclosure regime is so opaque, we don’t really know who’s paying how much and what they get in return. But the lengths players go to hide donations gives cause for suspicion.
Australia’s two major political parties are highly dependent on contributions from business by the standards of other rich democracies.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Every time there’s a scandal involving political finance, politicians from unaffected parties talk about the public’s outrage. But how much do people actually care?
Malcolm Turnbull argues it is so vital to revive a tough watchdog in the construction industry that there will be a double dissolution if the Senate refuses to agree. Critics such as Queensland independent…
Political funding is a fundamental public trust matter. It deserves to be debated at COAG.
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Friday’s COAG meeting is a perfect opportunity for politicians to govern in the public interest: and that should start with reforming political donations.
The NSW Electoral Commission’s withholding of public funding to the NSW Liberal Party may yet again imperil Arthur Sinodinos.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
Tougher penalties and a central role for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission are key parts of Labor’s policy to crack down on union corruption.
The High Court unanimously accepted that limits on donations to parties and candidates are constitutional.
AAP/Lukas Coch
The role of money in politics challenges rich and poor countries worldwide. Its abuse raises problems of graft, corruption and cronyism, undermining legitimacy and governance.
The O'Farrell government had a law limiting political donations struck down by the High Court.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
It is unfortunate that it is only scandals and the perception of corruption or criminal involvement that prompt moves to reform Australia’s political finance regime.