With the Grattan Institute today revealing that at least one in five government board appointments are being gifted to political mates, the Greens say it’s time to talk about how political appointments are undermining democracy. 

Lines attributable to Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Democracy:

“People are fed up with the jobs-for-the-boys mentality that so typified the Morrison Government - and they want better from the Albanese Government.

The Greens say the Aspen Medical scandal confirms the Morrison Government as the dodgiest and most irresponsible in Australian history.

Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters:

“At a time when the cost of living and rents are soaring, when many Australians are having to choose between buying school books for their kids or putting food on the table, we learn of yet another Morrison Government favour for its corporate mates.

The Greens say they would fast track a future Labor government’s ICAC bill through the Senate provided it was able to hold public hearings, act on anonymous tip-offs and investigate historical matters, including the shady dealings of the current Coalition front bench.

Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters:

“The Greens have been pushing for a national corruption watchdog for 13 years, so we welcome that Labor have said they would prioritise this in the next term of government. 

The Greens say the PM’s admission that he has no interest in legislating an effective federal corruption watchdog is the final nail in the coffin of an historically terrible government.

Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters:

On the eve of the 2022 Budget, and in the wake of successive pork-barrelling scandals, the Greens have announced that they will establish a $2 million Public Interest Democracy Fund to explore new initiatives that would allow more public participation in decision-making and the allocation of public money.

The fund, which will be administered by the Department of Parliamentary Services, will support trials of innovative programs to increase democratic participation, including:

The Greens have repeated their calls for root and branch reform of Australia’s political donations and election spending regime with billionaire Clive Palmer shamelessly bragging about his plans to spend his way to electoral success.

The Greens say the government’s decision to abandon its ICAC promise, while simultaneously trying to push through a hateful bill to protect bigotry, is proof that they never intended to establish an anti-corruption body in the first place. 

Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters:

“Anyone who is surprised that the government has abandoned its promise to establish a federal integrity commission hasn’t been paying attention. It’s yet another broken promise from a PM who lies and lies.

Political donations data published today by the Australian Electoral Commission shows that the Liberals, Nationals and Labor raked in a combined $14.6 million in donations in the 2020-21 financial year, including more than $1 million from the fossil fuel sector alone.

The Greens will stop big polluters corrupting democracy by banning donations from the fossil fuel sector to political parties, candidates, and associated entities.

Since 2012, the fossil fuel sector has donated over $9 million to the major parties. It’s no coincidence that successive governments have refused to take strong action on climate, while letting coal and gas corporations pollute our air and water, destroy farmland and culturally significant sites, and release billions of tons of carbon emissions. 

The Greens have announced a policy to reform the political system, clean up politics, and strengthen democracy. At the end of a bruising political year where the government remained unrepentant despite scandal after scandal, it’s clear a new approach is needed to restore public confidence in democracy.