The Special Minister of State’s announcement of the Terms of Reference for the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters into the 2016 election is welcome.

 

The terms of reference specifically include an examination of foreign donations and an examination of the extent to which fundraising and expenditure by third parties is conducted in concert with registered political parties and the applicability and utilisation of tax deductibility by entities involved in campaign activities.

 

“The announcement from Minister Ryan is welcome and I am very pleased that he has listened to the widespread community concern about organisations like GetUp who dishonestly and inappropriately seek to campaign for the left of politics while claiming independence,” Senator Abetz said.

 

“GetUp’s grubby tactics in the 2016 election are rightly deserving of examination and I have confidence that the Joint Standing Committee will consider these matters in detail.”

 

“The Government’s decision to refer the issue of foreign donations to the committee is also welcome and I congratulate the government on its willingness to consider reform in this area,” Senator Abetz concluded.