Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner

Electoral Reform Discussion Paper Released

Victor P Taffa

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has today released the Northern Territory Government’s Discussion on Electoral Reform.

“We promised to restore trust in government and that’s exactly what we are doing.” Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

“Territorians are entitled to have confidence that the public interest not donations drive public policy in the Northern Territory.”

It comes after the Government fulfilled its election commitment to hold an independent inquiry into political donations, which was conducted by Justice John Mansfield.

Justice Mansfield’s inquiry made recommendations for a more transparent and accountable donations system, including:

• Cap on how much parties and candidates can spend on a campaign
• Cap on political donations
• Partial public funding of political parties and candidates in an election
• Improvements to reporting requirements and disclosure returns in election years and the lead up to polling day
• Reforms to ensure compliance of associated entities and third parties with the Electoral Act

Northern Territory Government accepts in principle these 5 main recommendations and will now undertake detailed consultation with the release of this discussion paper.

Discussion paper gives Territorians the chance to have their say what they think the caps on donations and spending should be, as well reporting requirements for political parties and other recommendations.