The Victorian Greens will today push to ban donations from property developers and the gambling industry in local government, in a bid to get dodgy money out of politics.
The Greens will move amendments to the Local Government Legislation Amendment (Rating and Other Matters) Bill 2022 that would enforce the ban.
While Victoria has already introduced donations reform for state elections, it has left a mess when it comes to local government elections.
Without reform on a local level, there is a risk local government candidates and councillors can be corrupted by dodgy donations that benefit themselves and their donors first and foremost.
IBAC's investigation into Casey Council has shown the potential for corruption when councils are making decisions that can make someone millions.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, said the simplest way to get dodgy money out of local government was to ban property developer and gambling industry donations.
She added that until that happened, our communities would continue to be left behind and our democracy would be placed under threat.
The amendments will be debated and voted on in the Upper House today. The Greens urge all parties to support these reforms to help restore integrity in politics.
As stated by Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
"We're calling on the government to ban donations from big property developers and the gambling industry in local government.
"For too long both Labor and the Liberals have enjoyed dodgy donations from property developers and the gambling industry, who in turn have received special treatment at the expense of our communities.
"By banning these donations, we can restore integrity in politics and make sure our communities come first."
