18 June 2020

WWF-AUSTRALIA WELCOMES IMPORTANT DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IN QUEENSLAND

WWF-Australia welcomes the Queensland government’s electoral reforms which passed the Parliament tonight.

Opinion polls show that members of the public are suspicious of large political donations from private interests.

Their concern is whether wealthy companies or individuals are buying access and influence.

Australians expect elected officials to make decisions based solely on what’s in the public interest, without giving favourable treatment to political donors.

The Queensland government’s reforms are the most ambitious changes yet seen in Australia to bring integrity back to the political process.

The reforms have:

  • Increased public funding to political parties and candidates;
  • Limited and capped political donations to political parties and candidates;
  • Limited and capped electoral expenditure by political parties and candidates;
  • Limited and capped electoral expenditure by third parties;
  • Implemented a variety of administrative procedures to improve transparency and accountability of election funding.

WWF believes that these reforms are an important step to achieving WWF's mission to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Similar reforms are required at a federal level and indeed in most Australian states and territories.

WWF congratulates the Queensland Parliament and particularly Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath for listening to the public’s concerns and acting to make Queensland democracy fairer and stronger.