Taxpayers to foot bigger bill for political campaigns under Labor plan
The Victorian government has proposed increasing public funding for political campaigns following a High Court decision that invalidated existing electoral laws. The plan faces opposition from the Liberal Party, which resists retrospective changes, and criticism from independents and minor parties who argue it favors major parties. Critics warn the changes could deepen inequities in campaign financing and prompt further legal challenges.
- ▪The High Court recently struck down Victoria's campaign finance laws, prompting the government to propose new electoral funding rules.
- ▪The Labor government's plan would increase taxpayer funding for political campaigns, particularly benefiting established parties and incumbent MPs.
- ▪The Liberal Party opposes retrospective changes to electoral laws, while the Greens and independents argue the proposed system unfairly disadvantages minor parties and new candidates.
- ▪Climate 200 and other independent advocates warn that increasing public funding without supporting new entrants could lead to another legal challenge.
- ▪Greens leader Ellen Sandell accused the Liberals and One Nation of resisting donation caps to continue receiving large flows of corporate and dark money.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.