COMMITTEES
Senator HODGINS-MAY (Victoria) (11:16): At the request of Senator McKim, I wish to move the amendment standing in his name that has been circulated in the chamber. The PRESIDENT: I take it that you're moving part (b)? Senator HODGINS-MAY: Parts (a) and (b).
Senator McKim interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Sorry, Senator McKim, I don't have your amendment in front of me. Senator McKim interjecting— The PRESIDENT: It would be helpful if I had the amendment, but the Clerk has informed me that the amendment that Senator Duniam wishes to move is separate too, so we'll deal with your part (b) because that relates to electoral reform and then we will come back.
Senator Hodgins-May, are you speaking to the amendment? Senator HODGINS-MAY: At the request of Senator McKim, I move part (b) of the amendment standing in his name: Omit "not be referred to a committee", substitute "be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 5 June 2025". We are moving for the government's bills on electoral reform to go to an inquiry.
The Greens remain ready to pass the transparency and truth aspects of this legislation, having long campaigned to get the influence of big money out of politics. We want more transparency so the public can see who's paying for what outcome—who's paying to try to seek influence. But we need to make sure that those other funding reforms are not simply a stitch-up for the two big parties, and that is certainly what they look to be.
As we said when the bills were introduced last year, we need a Senate inquiry to hear from experts about the real effect of the funding aspect of the bills, which look to be simply a stitch-up for the two big parties to hamper everyone else whilst they allow unfettered access to their own war chests using nominated entities. We will continue to fight to clean up democracy so that it works for people, not just large political donors.
We will always fight to make sure that corporate donors, fossil fuel companies and weapons manufacturers can't buy the policy outcomes that suit them ahead of the interests of the Australian public, and that should seem very simple. We are very keen to continue to try to work on improving our democracy, and then we can actually get the reforms that will kick big money out of politics and protect democracy for the people, not just the two major parties.
The PRESIDENT: The question is that part (b) of the amendment standing in the name of Senator McKim and moved by Senator Hodgins-May, which seeks to amend the amendment moved by Senator Gallagher, be agreed to.