"No greater respect for democracy could be shown than by initiating a broad and independent examination of the influence of donations on decision-making."
Rob Oakeshott
http://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2014/10/18/royal-commission-needed-political-donati...
It is not people in different clothing, of different cultures, with different languages, or of different religions that anyone need fear. If you look back on our political history, we have been divided by silly suspicions before. The “fear and smear” of others has been tried on South Sea Islanders, Chinese, Aboriginal Australians, and now women of Islam. History shows the current debate is not new. It merely picks away at that same old xenophobic scab our culture carries.
No, the greatest threat to Australia’s future is not among its people. The people, when allowed to know each other, seem to get on fine.
The real threat is within government itself. It is the increasing corruption of our public decision-making by influence gained through record levels of private donations. The only colour Australia needs to fear is the colour of money in its democracy. Chequebook decision-making is the silent killer of necessary reform.
Of course, it’d be easier to deny and ignore it. But by doing so, we choose a lower living standard for Australia’s next generation. We fail our children if we convince ourselves this fight is just all too hard and worthless. Because today, regardless of your religion, your colour, of whether your wardrobe is a burqa, a nijab, or skimpy red Speedos, rampant political donations are impacting on how we are governed.
And we need to find a way to change that. Like signing and sharing a good old-fashioned petition for a start.
Such a commission wouldn’t be quick. It would take at least a couple of years to be done properly.
But bloody hell, we need it.
