The ABC’s Isobel Roe reports (5.10.17) on the Crime and Corruption Commission’s investigation into the 2016 local government elections in Queensland, with TJRF Research Associate, Paul Williams, claiming that moves to ban political donations from property developers need to expand to include other lobbying groups.
‘A ban on developers’ council donations should be extended to include alcohol and tobacco companies but exclude trade unions, a Queensland political expert says.
‘Griffith University political expert Dr Paul Williams said trust in local government had taken “a blow” after a Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) report found councils were “on the nose” and a “hotbed for perceived corruption”.
‘The CCC report detailed 31 recommendations to overhaul local government rules following a lengthy investigation into the Ipswich, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay and Logan councils.
‘The corruption watchdog pointed to failures by several high-profile councillors and the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ), prompting the State Government to back the CCC’s recommendation that property developer donations be banned at a state and local level.
‘”[Local government] is currently less than 100 per cent transparent,” Dr Williams said. “If voters feel that there is the potential for corruption then the system is in need of repair”.
‘He said the Government’s move to ban developer donations should be extended to other influential bodies such as alcohol and tobacco companies, but that banning trade union donations would be “a step too far”.
- Ban on council donations should extend to other influential groups, political expert warns »
- CCC Report: Operation Belcarra: Reforming local government in Queensland »
- Local government ‘a hot bed for perceived corruption’, Queensland CCC chairman says »
- What the crime watchdog probe uncovered about Qld council elections »
- Developers banned from donating to state and local government »
- Labor’s developer donation ban will hurt the LNP badly, data indicates »
- We need lobbyists, but how can we make sure they’re doing the right thing? »
- Integrity iceberg: Hunters, gamekeepers and the blurred lines of ‘incidental lobbying’ »
- ‘It’s wrong’: expert calls on Queensland to ban political donations from lobbyists »
- No respect: How corruption bungles have left our biggest councils frozen by fear »
- Lines have been ‘blurred’ over lobbying, but no rules broken: Premier »
- Queensland premier admits ‘blurring’ of lobbying rules may require changes to the law »
- Under the influence: Premier bows to calls for crackdown on lobbying »
- Even with the best of intentions, there’s no easy way to untangle what goes on behind closed doors »
- Queensland bans three lobbyists from contacting cabinet ministers »
- Qld bans three ‘dual hat’ Labor lobbyists amid call for national approach »
- Lobbyists banned – Premier shuts the door on trio of high profile strategists »
- ‘Weak and sneaky’: Lobbyist ban should include their companies, says LNP »
- ‘Thanks for banning me’: Lobbyist says Premier was right to lock him out »
- Council watchdog must implement reform or face sack: LGAQ »
- Corruption watchdog turns lobbyist spotlight on union officials, local councillors »