Ivana Bacik (Independent)

On a more serious level, it is important to have a debate about corporate donations but it is always a case of trying to balance the freedom of expression of individuals and organisations to make contributions to causes in which they believe, as Senator Hayden has pointed out. It is a complex issue but while corporate donations per se are viewed as being bad for politics, and clearly a restriction on corporate donations as set out in the Bill is important and supported by everyone, at the same time we must look at other entities. I take issue with Senator Mullen's comment about EMILY's List, about which he was very pejorative. EMILY's List is a well established organisation in the US which supports women candidates who have a pro-choice position and is entitled to do that. There are plenty of organisations and individuals supporting candidates in America and here who have an anti-choice position so I do not think there is any issue with that.