Make fair election laws now
The major parties have been rigging election laws to protect their power and lock out competitors.
Victoria’s election funding laws were so unfair that the High Court struck them out in April.
But now there is nothing stopping dark money and foreign donations pouring into campaigns.
We’re calling on the Victorian Government to urgently:
1. Restore fundamental transparency and foreign donor restrictions
Voters have a right to know who is funding political campaigns.
The collapse of the old, flawed laws has left an alarming transparency vacuum ahead of the November Victorian State election. Donation disclosure must be urgently restored and backdated. In the absence of transparency laws, Climate 200 will continue to voluntarily disclose significant donations we make in Victoria and refuse foreign donations, and we call on all parties and candidates to do the same.
2. Create a level playing field so voters get the choices they deserve
To avoid further High Court scrutiny, the new laws must ensure fair competition and equal access to campaign funding for challengers.
Under the old laws, the major parties received millions from taxpayers and party slush funds. Meanwhile, new independent and minor party candidates received no support and faced strict fundraising limits. This made it almost impossible for challengers to compete, limiting your choices at election time.
3. Stop politicians stitching up the rules behind closed doors
Victorians deserve an open, independent and transparent process, not another rushed backroom deal designed to protect the major parties.
Any broader reforms to donation caps, public funding and campaign finance laws must undergo an independent review and genuine public consultation involving independents, minor parties and civil society experts.