EDO commends the introduction of a Bill to Queensland Parliament designed to enhance the integrity of our elections and, subject to amendments outlined in our submission being made, supports the passage of the Bill.
Our primary concern with the Bill is that the proposed donations cap and restrictions on electoral expenditure by third parties may have unintended consequences. In its current form the Bill may have the effect of actually reducing the capacity of third parties (such as non-government organisations (NGOs), grass-roots organisations and community legal centres) to participate in the debate surrounding an election (particularly as compared to organisations from the for-profit sector).
