John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

The Minister raised several questions in his contribution. I am glad that there is to be a review of legislation. Questions were also asked about the donation disclosure limits and I have dealt with the matter.

It is reasonable as a minimum that spending limits on elections reflect inflation. They should not be left at a certain level over a number of years and the legislation should address that. Senator O'Toole and I were members of a sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service which dealt with the question of ethics in public office. We had to review the proposals for the blue book. There was consensus among the parties at the sub-committee. One of the issues with which we had difficulty was the matter of who is a connected person. It is illogical to think that a person who marries for a second time will know each of the business interests of the children of their spouse from a first family. I realise that there is a different standard for office holders than for the rest of us, but this can get to the point where it becomes stupid.

The point raised about ministerial access to Departments and motorcars is reasonable because such things provide an edge. While Ministers have to account for the moneys involved and the decision of Supreme Court led to inadvertent breaches, this is something which must be examined. It would do no harm to impose a moratorium.

The period in which election spending limits apply will have to be extended. There was huge overloading of expenditure in the lead up to the last election, quite legally, in the knowledge that after the cut-off date spending would be controlled. The date will have to be pushed well out. In Britain, for example, it is two years, though I am not sure it should be the same here. Most parties were guilty of huge expenditure before the cut-off date.

Like many Members of both Houses, I should be refunded election expenses. Much of the money comes from our own pockets. When we had the multiple elections in the 1980s, the overdrafts of some went through the roof.