Independent
Candidate for the Senate, Stewart Glass, has called for an end of
taxpayer funding for political candidates and parties.
Most of the public may not be aware that the government pays parties or
candidates $2.10 for every primary vote received - on the condition that
the candidate gets over the threshold of 4% of the primary vote.
Last election, federally, the Liberal Party received $17.9 million of
taxpayers money, while the ALP got $16.7 million and the Greens $3.3
million.
Out of the Senate candidates for South Australia last election, all
money was received by either the Liberal, Labor or Green Parties - the
other 36 of candidates were funded $0.
"Like several other mechanisms in elections, Public Election Funding is
geared to favour the big parties. It's like taxpayer subsidizing the big
supermarkets but not giving a brass razoo to the corner deli", said Mr
Glass.
"I have declared that I won't accept election funding, and as far as I
am aware am the only candidate to do so. I invite all candidates to
reject this taxpayer subsidy. I will even keep a list on my website of
all candidates and parties willing to join me.
"If you don't want anyone to get your $2.10 you can mark me as your
"Taxpayer election funding, rather than increasing competition in the
ballot box, only serves to strengthen the status quo, and that's not
good for Australian democracy".
The independent candidates website can be found at
www.StewartGlass.net
Footnotes:
See also VID01 - Taxes for Political Parties
More information contact:
Stewart Glass on 0419925750 or senate2007@stewartglass.net
Official Website - StewartGlass.net