Report agrees big money has no place in Tasmanian state elections

Capping Tasmanian election spending has received further support, with a new report recommending that spending caps for House of Assembly elections need to be considered.

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has identified the benefits of introducing spending caps, recommending a review of Tasmania’s electoral funding laws consider introducing spending caps for House of Assembly elections.

As expected, Liberal MP Michael Ferguson has sided with powerful interests and big money, and formally opposed the committee's recommendation.

Right now, there is no limit on how much parties, candidates and third-party campaigners can spend in a Tasmanian state election.

Labor believes that elections should be decided by the strength of one’s ideas, not by the size of your bank account or how big your donors are.

Big corporations, lobby groups and the very wealthy influencing votes by pouring in as much money as they like is unhealthy. 

Labor’s bill will stop that.

Nobody should be able to buy an election, and we are calling on other members to support leveling the playing field for everyone.