JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for the Arts The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills, The Honourable Yvette D’Ath
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said an electronic real-time donation disclosure system would be in place by the end of the year.
The Premier said the system would make political donations at state and local government level even more transparent.
“As a new Government last year, the first Bill we introduced to the Parliament decreased the donation disclosure threshold from $12,800 to $1,000,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“That’s because the LNP in Government dramatically raised the threshold, potentially hiding millions of dollars’ worth of political donations from the public.
“Now we will deliver on our commitment to the Member for Nicklin to introduce real-time donation disclosure laws for Queensland.
“That means when voters go to the ballot box, they will be fully informed about who is donating to which candidates, and how much they’re donating.
“Queensland will have some of the most progressive, open and transparent political donations laws in the country.”
The Premier said real-time donation disclosure rules will come into effect by the end of this year
“An implementation plan is currently being considered, but I would envisage that the electronic system will be in place by 1 January, and would go live by the end of February.
“It means that instead of waiting months to see who is donating to a political party, people will be able to see who is donating and how much they are donating before an election takes place.”
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the implementation program was being led by the Electoral Commission of Queensland.
“The ECQ is already working on assessing an appropriate software provider, and Cabinet will soon consider what changes to laws and regulations will be needed, such as changes to the Local Government Act.
“The ECQ will also consult widely, including with political parties and interested stakeholders.
“The Palaszczuk Government is determined to ensure integrity and accountability is a cornerstone of our democratic process.”
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