South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, has announced plans to reform the way election-related activities are funded in a bid to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

Under the proposed changes, election-related activities would be publicall-funded rather than relying on private donations.

“Large powerful interests should not have an undue say in public policy-making,” Mr Weatherill said.

“You only need look at the American political system to see the potentially corrosive influence of money in politics.

The proposed changes to the Electoral Act 1985 would regulate disclosure of political funding and increase transparency and accountability in government and political parties. The reforms consider adopting a scheme that allocates public funds to:

  • political parties and candidates for electoral campaigns and administration costs
  • increasing transparency around private donations
  • limits on the value of donations