Teal candidates and any would-be political disruptors in Victoria are facing a $100 million, taxpayer-funded wall which protects those already represented in parliament. | By Chip Le Grand Melbchief SpringSt
It’s a phone call most political candidates dream of. Shortly after Nomi Kaltmann was announced as the Caulfield “teal” candidate, an unfamiliar number flashed up on her phone. On the other end of the line was a local businessman who said he was excited about her running for parliament and wanted to donate $50,000 to her campaign.Teal independent Nomi Kaltmann will stand in the seat of Caulfield.
Figures published by the Victorian Electoral Commission show that, between the last state election and April this year, this provision has funnelled $13.6 million into Labor’s campaign coffers, $10.8 million into the Coalition parties and $3.3 million into the Greens. Climate 200 spokesman Simon Holmes a Court says the new campaign funding laws entrench Australia’s political duopoly.For Labor, its special cash cow is an entity called Labor Services and Holdings. For the Liberal Party, it is the Cormack Foundation. For the Nationals it is the James Barrie-esque-sounding Pilliwinks Pty Ltd. These are the only three nominated entities listed by the Victorian Electoral Commission. In the year of the last state election, the Cormack Foundation donated $2.
Former ALP assistant state secretary Kos Samaras says electorate and communication allowances are used to boost the re-election prospects of sitting MPs.Under pre-existing laws, all members of the legislative assembly and council receive a share of the electorate office and communications budget.
Holmes a Court points out that, while the public debate about campaign financing is focused on limiting donations, private donations now account for a tiny amount of the money flowing into Victorian politics. If you think of political funding as an iceberg, campaign donations are the tip. The rest of it – nearly all of it provided by taxpayers – sits below the waterline.