Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)

I was supportive of the amendments. As the Minister stated, we started the journey on 2 February. It was my first Bill to take through all Stages. Senator Mac Conghail and myself put forward and robustly argued several amendments dealing with accountability and transparency and we also sought to strengthen gender quotas for candidate selection.

The Bill takes a good step in reforming political funding. I am strongly convinced that without a legislative basis we will not tackle fundamental governance gaps. The introduction of gender quotas is most welcome. They will facilitate a qualitative jump in increasing parity.

I thank the Minister wholeheartedly for his personal commitment to these issues by guiding and leading them through both Houses and for the role he personally played in bringing this Bill forward and ensuring that it is being delivered, and for the amendments that he put forward today. I also thank his officials.