In 2011, the former Bligh Labor government capped political donations, saying it would limit the ability of the rich to influence government.

Current Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said that integrity would not suffer when the caps on both donations and electoral expenditure were axed.

“The next question is how do you maintain the highest level of integrity in that system? You have a continuous disclosure regime,” he said.

Oh really? So exactly how would that ensure integrity, I wonder.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/queensland-government-to-axe-cap-on-political-donations/story-e6frgczx-1226673225795

I think that this is a disgraceful move by the Newman Government, as it is perfectly clear that political donations influence political decisions, and that the big donations do this to a critical extent, especially when all the big donations come from the like-minded big business fraternity.

Given PM Rudd’s recent comments on his desire to improve the democracy of the Labor party, he should come out strongly and condemn this move by the Qld LNP, and give an undertaking to reduce political donations and hence the influence of big business on government.

The donations regime is a huge and blatantly antidemocratic aspect of our governance. It is high time it is reformed.

I call on Rudd to be true to his word about improving democracy and to make it happen.

Ludwig,
You'll need to ask Rudd to cap the funding for arts & sport as well because they, probably more than any other funding, influence masses of hangers-on to vote ALP.

I'm not up on this Luddy, so tell me.

Did this cap on political donations apply to the union donations?

If not it sounds like a typical lefty system of trying to hobble their opposition, while keeping their own cash flow intact. How the union/Labor cash flow could be considered anything other than payola I can't imagine.

You are right, Hasbeen. I would like to see all donations from organisations banned, whether they are corporations, business organisations, unions, or whatever. Only donations from individuals should be allowed, and they should be capped at a level that is well within the means of ordinary people.

Hasbeen do not believe that old saying.
A little knowledge is not dangerous, it can beat no understanding hands down.
Every government has taken cash from its supporters.
VERY RARELY is the amount Labor gets more than Liberals, work choices apart.
And every donation to any party is in the name of?
Self interest.

So Belly lets stop them all! I agree with Divergence, they should be only personal, & at a low level.

You do miss one point, as I would expect. A large number of people are members of unions by coercion. They do not want to be in any union, but are forced to be by the workplace.

These people do not want their union dues to fund Labor in particular, or any party in general.