SIGN NOW: Protect our elections!
Changes to Australian democracy are too important to be rushed through parliament.
But the major parties teamed up to rush through a bill with 200 pages of changes to electoral laws that advantage the major parties over minor parties, independents and new candidates. What’s more, they rushed the laws through Parliament without proper review in the last sitting period before the election.
There is a silver lining. These changes won't apply to the upcoming federal election. It means we have a crucial three-year window after the federal election to advocate for a more level democratic playing field.
No matter who sits in government, we need to fix the electoral laws that are skewing the playing field and making it harder for people to have their say at the ballot box.
Together, we need to stand up to protect our elections. That’s why we’re calling for any change to our electoral laws to be reviewed by a parliamentary inquiry.
✍️ Will you sign the petition calling on the Australian Government to review these new laws to ensure they strengthen, not weaken, our democracy?
Australia Institute research shows that poorly-considered changes to electoral laws can weaken, not strengthen, elections, including by concentrating financial power in major parties and excluding others, and giving incumbents an unfair advantage in the democratic process.
While the donation disclosure changes in the bill are positive, the Australia Institute has identified serious concerns with the Australian Government’s bill, including:
- Political parties can bypass donation caps by using “nominated entities”;.
- Proposed public funding will disproportionately favour major parties and incumbents over independents, minor parties, and new entrants;
- Truth in political advertising laws are not included, meaning voters could be targeted with untruthful content in elections;
- Spending caps can be easily bypassed by political parties, but not independents, undermining fair electoral processes; and
- The rushed and secretive nature of the bill threatens to undermine due process and weaken public trust in politics.
Our democracy is too important to risk. ✍️ Sign the petition for a parliamentary inquiry now!
WATCH: DR HELEN HAINES MP
To the Parliament of Australia,
Trust in our democracy is embedded in strong electoral laws and processes.
The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill undermines this trust by being unfair, rushed, and shrouded in secrecy.
We call on you to immediately establish a parliamentary inquiry, with public hearings, to assess the risks associated with these rushed changes to Australia’s electoral laws.
This must happen before these reckless changes to Australian electoral law come into effect.