22nd Nov 2021, 5:51 PM – Representatives Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021 - Second Reading - Postpone vote

The majority voted in favour of a motion to disagree with an amendment introduced by Indi MP Helen Haines (Independent), which means the amendment failed.

Amendment text

That all words after "whilst" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

"noting the importance of this reform, the House:

(1) notes the Government broke with convention and introduced a significant addition to this bill, tripling it in size within a matter of hours, and preventing the crossbench from having an opportunity to review, contemplate or be briefed on the amended bill;

(2) notes that if the Government wanted to truly level the playing field when it comes to political donations, it could lower the AEC disclosure threshold from the current rate of $14,500 to $1,000; and

(3) calls on the Government to postpone the second reading vote on this bill until another sitting day, as is the convention with new bills".