Queensland premier Anna Bligh has called for a national ban on political donations as she tries to clean up the government and set a national standard for political integrity.
Backed by federal Labor bodies, including Wayne Swan and Julia Gillard, Bligh banned MPs from attending intimate party fundraisers with businesspeople after Tony Fitzgerald and former premier Wayne Goss warned of a corrupt system in Queensland.
Property developers are backing the push for a national ban on political donations, having urged the government to remove the perception of favouritism in decision-making, including tender processes, licensing, approvals and board appointments, for a significant period.
“Political donations should be banned outright from everyone, including the mining and petroleum sectors, the timber industry, the gun lobby, environmental campaigners and other interest groups,” Aaron Gadiel, CEO of Urban Taskforce, said.
“A total, national ban would boost community confidence in the political system. Political parties should be funded by their own members and a public funding formula tied to election results,” he said, congratulating Anna Bligh for her “strong position” in the issue.
Bligh’s tough stand follows a call by former NSW premier Morris Iemma for a complete ban on political donations.
According to a poll by Galaxy, 65 per cent of people believe corruption is rife in the Bligh government and 61 per cent are not confident the government is in control.
