Funding reform stoush

Waverley Greens councillor Prue Cancian has accused Waverley Liberals of not supporting their federal leader after her motion congratulating Malcolm Turnbull for his comments on electoral funding reform was voted down.

Cr Cancian said she put the motion in response to Turnbull’s recent comments, made in relation to the donations scandal in Queensland, supporting banning political donations except from individuals and capping donations.

“The Greens have a strong campaign on electoral funding reform and we thought that was a good comment from Malcolm. I was surprised. Either they [Liberals] don’t support the policy or they don’t support Malcolm,” she said.

Cr Cancian said large donations, particularly from corporations with financial interest in government or council decision making, were seen to be a corrupting influence on Australian politics at all levels.

But Mayor Sally Betts described the motion as ‘pure grandstanding’ and said if the Greens were serious, they’d also discuss the lack of centralised funding for local government elections. State and federal campaigns are partly funded by the Electoral Commission.

“Make the whole argument, don’t cherry pick and be cute. I’m not saying anyone should accept developer donations but why cap donations if there’s no funds coming from any other source? They quoted Malcolm just to manipulate us and I say forget it unless they want to argue the whole case.”

Cr Betts said Labor had also voted against the motion.