QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:07): I thank Senator Ruston for her second supplementary question. I don't accept the assessment that's been made about the transparency of this government. Can I give you one example in my own portfolio area.

I sat down with the opposition and other parties in the course of the last parliament to make some changes to the electoral laws in this country. Senator McGrath: It's not relevant to the question, Don. Senator FARRELL: It is absolutely relevant because, at the next election, for the first time, when Australians go in to vote, they will know exactly who has made a contribution to the candidate that they're contemplating voting for—for the first time in our history.

Not only that, but the level of donation has been dropped from— (Time expired)