Senator WHISH-WILSON

The Greens have campaigned on democratic electoral reform for over a decade. Our party, which was formed 45 years ago, has as one of its core principles-one of its four principles in its charter-participative democracy. It is absolutely crucial to who we are as a party. We are also a party who represents our grassroots members. Our members write our policies and our national council constantly works with the party room on how we deliver these policies and these principles.

Greens to amend senate voting reform legislation

Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale was joined by Greens Democracy spokesperson Lee Rhiannon to announce the Greens response to the JSCEM inquiry.

“The Greens are extremely proud to be one step closer to a more democratic voting system,” said Senator Di Natale.

“We believe giving voters control over their vote is a hugely important democratic reform that must be in place as soon as practicable.

The Greens have today welcomed news that a bill for Senate voting reform will be introduced into parliament this week, calling on opposition leader Bill Shorten to back the changes that are supported by many within his own party.

"Over 12 years the Greens have been putting forward legislation for Senate voting reform that ends back room preference deals and puts power back into the hands of voters," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:43): It is time to end the farce of 1 February, which is the Australian Electoral Commission political donation disclosure day. I am not blaming the AEC. It is the law that is an ass when it comes to how our political donations are disclosed. This is not a day of transparency; it is actually a day when we are reminded how urgently we need electoral funding reform.

Today's release of last years' political donations data shows disclosure is too slow and corporate donations too influential, say the Australian Greens.

"Integrity is shaping up to be a huge issue this election year. The Liberals are singling out one group in society, but refusing to look at their mates in the corporate sector and the bigger question of donations distorting our democracy," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

The Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has welcomed the decision of the NSW Premier Mike Baird to add his voice to the growing call for national uniform political donation reform.

"Now we have state premiers backing the call for political donation reform, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should ensure the changes are in place before the next federal election," Senator Rhiannon said.

"The High Court case handed down last week cleared the way for the quick passage of reforms.

The Greens are calling on Prime Minister Turnbull to support legislation for a ban on political donations from select industries following former Newcastle Mayor Jeff McCloy's defeat in the High Court today.

"The High court's decision to uphold a NSW ban on political donations from the developer, tobacco, gambling and alcohol industries is good news for democracy," said Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon.

Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has published her use of parliamentary travel allowances online in the interest of greater transparency.

Senator Rhiannon has published her July and August 2015 use of travel allowance and will be doing so for each month going forward - http://tinyurl.com/qxjd7sc.

"MPs are elected to work for the public good and the public have a right to know how MPs use the hundreds of thousands of dollars of public money to undertake that work," said Senator Rhiannon.