Why everyone should care about these 'big interest' donations?
Only with the development of a politics fully responsive to people rather than to money, can Australians get real movement on legislation that they care about. Read on to find out why campaign finance reform is important to environmentalists, consumers, families and business people.
What exactly is wrong with the present system?
The corrupting way in which our campaigns are financed affects an enormous range of issues such as the environment, labor, civil rights, feminism, corporate power, foreign policy and social justice. There is a real concern that politicians are catering to those who funded them into office and are supporting policies that are not always in the best interests of the country. Even worse, the need for money acts as a barrier to everyone who can't hand over a fat cheque.
Why We Need Reform
The lifeblood of our democracy is under threat. It is being undermined by 'big interest' money. Changing the way elections are financed is the first and most important step in resolving this shameful situation. If private money continues to dominate Australian politics, the desires of the rich and powerful will have increasing control over legislation, while the rest of us will be increasingly ignored.
If our campaign finance laws are appropriately reformed, it would allow new voices and ideas previously shut out of the system to compete on equal financial footing with the moneyed interests. This would help create the real democracy most of us want; one in which laws and policies reflect the will of the majority of the Australian people and not the interests of a small but powerful minority.
Why environmentalists should care about money in politics.
Environmentalists assume that natural resource protection depends only on cultural changes or advances in science. This assumption is only half true. How our elections are financed is a serious hurdle in the way of environmental protection. Anti-environmental special interests groups pollute our democratic process with huge donations. A large majority of Australians believe that protection of the environment should be a major priority of our governments, yet our state and federal governments have very poor track records on environmental issues. The current campaign finance system makes it possible for industries that are responsible for some of the worst pollution problems facing our country to use millions of dollars in political contributions to buy political access and political influence.
Why consumers and families should care about money in politics.
Families also should care about money in politics because of the serious harm that alcohol, tobacco and gambling do to family life. Big corporations representing these threats give huge donations to the major political parties, thus blocking the possibilities for reform.
Working families are being hit hard by rising costs for medicine rates - costs made higher by the influence of the campaign contributions by pharmaceutical companies. The campaign money chase allows pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, and other big-money special interests extraordinary access to lawmakers. It gives vested interests influence to shape public policies that directly affect the lives of Australia's seniors.
Banks are also huge donors to the major parties and the banks have benefited accordingly, all to the detriment of consumers and families. Developer donations to parties has resulted in developments going ahead without proper consideration of local residential amenity.
These are just a few examples of the threat that these donations are to our families and our communities.
Why business should care about money in politics.
In order to thrive, our economy needs a climate of public confidence in the workings of our major institutions, including government. When so many citizens believe that big money corrupts elected officials, trust in our political system is eroded. Campaign donations distort the workings of a free market by favoring big corporations whose leaders contribute large amounts of money to campaigns. Consumers and small business are hurt in the end. Big campaign contributions can also stifle new innovations by artificially propping up outdated products or systems as "pay-backs" to wealthy donors.
Many business leaders resent the pressure on them to constantly increase the amount of funding they provide for election campaigns. They wish to compete in the marketplace, not in the political area. The current campaign finance system undermines democracy and essentially forces politicians to shake down business leaders in order to remain in office. As political fund raising has become more lucrative, the strain on business has increased exponentially.
John Curry Australian Shareholders Association Chairman agrees with our concern with corporate donations.
"Whether the expectation is real or simply perceived, it is not in the interest of democracy... It's almost a form of bribery."
(p17 SMH 21/5/04)
BRIBERY?
BRIBE - as defined by the Collins English Dictionary.
"To promise, offer, or give something, especially money, to (a person) to procure services or gain influence."
Between 1995 and 1998, nine of the top ten corporate donors gave substantial donations to both the ALP and Liberals, seven of these corporations also gave donations also to the National Party. (Ramsay et al. Political Donations by Australian Companies 2001)
So, why bribe one party when you can bribe them all?