Peas in a pod: Labor, Coalition join forces to weaken political donation laws

While Australians were distracted last week by Melbourne’s lockdown ending and the final days of the Queensland and United States elections, the two major parties joined forces in federal parliament to weaken political donations laws.

A new provision they passed allows property developers to ignore state laws banning them from making political donations where the donation is “for federal purposes”. This measure ensures federal laws override state anti-corruption laws, making it easier for federal politicians to accept secret donations from property developers.

NSW banned property developers from making political donations in January 2010, Queensland has banned such donations from October 2017, while the ACT government’s ban…