Dan Boyle (Green Party)

Senators Alex White and Mullen inquired about the report by Transparency International. I understand that report is excellent and refers to many issues which deserve discussion in the House. I refer, for example, to the issue of political fund-raising — which was addressed at an event last weekend — and the need to deal with how this is provided, the amounts collected and the purposes for which these are used.

The report also refers to the question of political appointments, a subject in respect of which I introduced a Private Members' Bill in the Lower House a number of years ago. A debate on the report would assist in informing the legislation we will require in respect of this area in the future. The programme for Government contains a provision in respect of the introduction of an independent electoral commission which would supersede the existing Standards in Public Office Commission. Part of the role of this new body will be to consider matters such as public fund-raising and public appointments.