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April 6, 2010
ALMOST 9 OUT OF 10 AUSTRALIANS WANT CAMPAIGN SPENDING CUTS
86% of Australians just under 9 out of 10 - support a limit on the amount of money political parties can spend on federal election campaigns according to a nation-wide survey by Auspol commissioned by social activism group Getup!
The poll released today also shows 67% of Australians more than two thirds believe corporations who donate to political parties have undue influence on elected representatives.
"This poll is proof that Australians don't want their politicians to be on sale," Nick said. "If someone donates a small sum of money to a politician they are a supporter. But when a corporation or union or individual gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to a pollie, they become an owner. No-one should own our pollies"
Senator Xenophon is supporting a push by Getup!' for campaign finance reform.
The reforms include a capping of donations for individuals, companies or unions to $1200. Donations from foreign individuals would also be banned.
Getup! is a non-profit organisation with more than 330,000 members dedicated to boosting political participation.
The Auspol survey found 55% of Australians support a cap on political donations.
"Politicians should work for everybody, not just the companies and unions and rich individuals who give them money to run election campaigns," Nick said. "We need to get these obscene amounts of money out of the political system to ensure our politicians govern in the national interest."
Simon Sheikh, National Director of GetUp! says the poll should be a wake-up call for federal politicians.
It's time to restore faith in our political system. Elections should be about winning the hearts and minds of the Australian public not a cash contest bankrolled by the rich," Simon said.
Auspoll conducted the survey online in late Sep 2009 Questions and results: Do you think that there should be a limit on the amount of money that political parties and other interest groups can spend on federal election campaigns (such as on TV and radio advertising)? (1550 people polled) Strongly agree - 57% Agree - 29% Neither agree nor disagree - 9% Disagree - 1% Strongly disagree - 4% To what extent do you agree with the following (1220 people polled): We should cap or limit donations from individuals to political party election campaigns Strongly agree 19% Agree 36% Neutral 30% Disagree 12% Strongly disagree 3% Companies who donate to election campaigns probably get more access to politicians than those who dont Strongly agree 24% Agree 43% Neutral 26% Disagree 5%
Strongly disagree 3%
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