[LINK] Reform of the electoral funding system in Australia

[Chris Maltby]

Something NSW based Linkers may wish to participate in (though others
would be welcome I'm sure)

On Mon, May 21, 2007 at 10:14:21AM +1000, Norman Thompson wrote:
> Dear friends and colleagues,
> 
> Our system of political donations is in urgent need of reform since huge 
> donations from powerful organisations and individuals are undermining 
> and damaging our democratic process.  Action on Smoking and Health 
> (Ashaust) has begun a campaign for a NSW Upper House inquiry on the 
> entire electoral funding system, as well as a national summit to explore 
> ways to reform the system.  Greens MP Lee Rhiannon will introduce a 
> motion to establish such an inquiry in NSW in the coming weeks.
> 
> Democracy4Sale <http://www.democracy4sale.org/> and Democracy Watch 
> <http://www.democracywatch.com.au/> have joined this important campaign
> initiated by Ashaust.  For more information on how you can become involved,
> go to <http://www.ashaust.org.au/campaigns/campaign.php?camp_id=50>
> 
> Legislative reform is long overdue.  Unlike other western democracies 
> such as New Zealand, Canada and the UK that have moved to limit 
> political donations, the Howard government has moved to make it easier 
> to hide the source of vast dums of money flowing into the coffers of 
> Australia's political parties. 
> 
> You can help fight the threat of money influencing governmental 
> decisions to the detriment of the greater good by acting today.  It will 
> take only a few minutes of your time to become involved.  Once you have 
> filled in the form on the Ashaust site, your email goes to Morris Iemma, 
> Barry O'Farrell, and members of the upper house cross benches - 
> Christian Democrats, Greens and The Shooters.
> 
> Thanks,
> Norman
> <normanlt at bigpond.com>