The Victorian Greens are calling for significant reforms to the state’s political donation laws following a concession from the Allan Labor Government in the face of a High Court challenge. The government has announced plans to amend the existing donation laws, allowing minor parties and independents to establish nominated entities and imposing new limits on fund transfers.
These changes come after longstanding criticism that the current regulations, implemented by the Andrews Labor Government in 2018, have created an unfair advantage for major parties, particularly the Labor Party and the Liberal Party. The Greens argue that the laws have effectively protected political “slush funds,” enabling these parties to access millions while sidelining independents and smaller parties.
The Greens assert that if Labor were genuinely interested in reform, it would eliminate these slush funds entirely rather than merely adjusting the rules to maintain the status quo. The party has expressed frustration over Labor’s reluctance to abolish group voting tickets, which they claim facilitate backroom deals that influence upper house election outcomes instead of reflecting voters’ preferences.
As the latest upper house inquiry reports its findings, the Greens contend that Labor has delayed necessary changes for too long. They insist that abolishing group voting tickets is essential for restoring trust in Victoria’s electoral system.
Ellen Sandell, the Leader of the Victorian Greens, stated, “Labor’s donation laws were dodgy from day one. This has always been a major-party stitch-up designed to protect Labor and the Liberals’ political slush funds.” She emphasized that the current framework allows these parties to tap into substantial financial resources while excluding others from fair competition.
Sandell further criticized Labor’s motivations, claiming, “Labor is only changing these laws because it was dragged to the High Court. Even now, it’s offering a patch-up job to preserve its own advantage.”
The Greens are calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the electoral system to ensure that it serves the interests of voters rather than entrenched political interests. As reforms are considered, the focus remains on transparency and fairness in the electoral process, with the hope of restoring public confidence in Victoria’s democracy.
