SIGN NOW: Protect our elections!
Changes to Australian democracy are too important to be rushed through parliament.
But the Albanese Government has introduced a bill with 200 pages of changes to electoral laws. What’s more, they’re hoping to rush it through Parliament without proper review.
This leaves no time to consider how these changes will impact our elections – and the Australian Government knows it.
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 proposed changes 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 proposed 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 risks undermining 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 proposed changes to Australia’s electoral laws.
This must happen before major changes to Australian electoral law are put to Parliament for a vote.
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