Time to restore integrity of parliament by extending donations ban to mining industry

UPDATE: to be introduced to the Legislative Assembly by Jamie Parker on 10 March 2016.

Jamie's record on cleaning up politics in NSW

MEDIA RELEASE - NOVEMBER 19, 2015
Greens NSW anti-corruption spokesperson and Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker MP, has today given notice in Parliament of a new bill to reduce corruption risk by banning political donations from mining companies.

“Having arrived at the end of the Parliamentary year and still no action from the Premier, I have taken the initiative to address the concerns raised by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC),” said Mr Parker.

“The Mining and Petroleum Industry Political Donations Legislation Amendment (Corruption Risk Reduction)Bill 2015 extends to the mining and petroleum industry the current bans on political donations from the tobacco, alcohol, gambling and real estate development industries.

“Despite an appeal by a cashed-up developer, last month the High Court of Australia found that NSW laws which ban specific classes of political donors are constitutionally valid.

“Corporate donations have a corrosive influence on democracy and undermine confidence in the political system. It is particularly the case in the mining and resource sector where decisions of government determine the success or failure of major resource projects.

“This legislation will secure and promote the actual and perceived integrity of Parliament and other institutions of government in NSW. And we know this is certainly overdue – the community is highly sceptical of the integrity of politicians as a whole, after the long line of Labor and Liberal MPs exposed by ICAC over the past couple of years.

“Elections should be about the contest of ideas, not the contest of cash. Whether it is cash in a brown paper bag or buying a table at a fundraising event the community needs to be sure that politicians aren’t being bought.

“I look forward to introducing the bill when Parliament resumes next year and will be challenging all parties to support it,” said Mr Parker.

Copy of the bill here
Read more of Jamie's anti-corruption work
For further comment from Jamie Parker, 0413581603

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Jenny Skelton commented 2015-11-25 15:25:13 +1100
It’s a start Jamie well done !

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FERRIES AT ANNANDALE AND WEST BALMAIN

Imagine hopping on a ferry at Annandale or West Balmain and being in the heart of the city within minutes.

In 2020, we won the campaign for a Glebe ferry. Now, we have the opportunity to connect more of our area to the ferry network. New ferries at Annandale and West Balmain will provide a faster, smarter route into the city without adding to the traffic on our roads.

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Dear Transport Minister,

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