Policies/Democracy

Improve transparency and credibility in systems of governance

 * Strengthen the operation and transparency protections afforded by FoI laws.
 * Remove blanket organisational exemptions and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis.
 * Remove relevance as a criteria for exemption.
 * Exemptions to be subject to time limits, with extensions to be justified.
 * Documents to be unclassified by default.
 * Additional resources to be provided to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to ensure a robust and speedy FoI review and appeals process.
 * Maintain and expand data availability though data.gov.au and support an Open Data Act mandating that data released under an FoI request is comprehensive and provided in a re-usable format.
 * Provide new protections for whistleblowers.
 * Ensure provisions of the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Bill 2012 operate in full.
 * Adopt additional measures to build in further protection to all parties:
 * Indemnity provision to third parties involved in the disclosure of information.
 * An intermediary system for anonymous disclosures, including a mechanism allowing whistleblowers to remain in regular, anonymous contact with investigative authorities.
 * Allowances for expedited data preservation orders, including a provision allowing such orders to take effect before a disclosure is made in cases where evidence is at risk of being destroyed.
 * Provisions to allow for disclosure of irrelevant information, where such information forms part of a larger document whose disclosure in complete form is necessary to preserve the quality of evidence.
 * All contracts and deals with suppliers and other businesses to be placed in the public domain.
 * Insert a non-discrimination clause applying to all publically funded bodies, universities, and bodies paid to act on behalf of the state.
 * Providers will have no right to discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race or sexual alignment in the delivery of service provision, access to resources, or any use of public or educational premises and facilities.
 * Provide an official method for Australians to directly petition the federal government for a change in law or other government policy.
 * All levels of government should recognise and facilitate e-petitions.
 * Petitions reaching a predetermined quota to carry attendant obligations upon governments including mandated parliamentary discussion, meetings with petitioners and formal recognition of issues raised.

Improve transparency and conduct in Australian politics

 * Increase oversight of processes around political donations.
 * Mandatory disclosure of all political gifts and donations provided to elected representatives which have a value over $1000.
 * Donations to be capped at $50 per person for public events.
 * Foreign donations to be banned.
 * Electoral Commissions to collate information into a single searchable database available online and at Electoral Commission offices for ready access to the general public.
 * The database will be updated at three-month intervals, with requirements for donors to report donations within 6 weeks.
 * Prohibit donation splitting between branches of parties to prevent concealment of donations through division into smaller amounts.
 * Create a lobbyists register with mandatory coverage of all lobbyists and full records of all meetings between lobbyists and legislators or government officials.
 * Improve participation and credibility of the electoral process.
 * Enact fixed terms with the AEC to determine the election date.
 * An independent Debates Commission will be established to oversee debate rules, timing, candidate questions, and format.
 * Debates to occur 21 days, 14 days, and 7 days prior to the election.
 * One debate (selected by the Debates Commission) will allow and include representatives from minor parties.
 * All debates to include public representation and questions.
 * Repeal amendments to the Electoral Act enacted under Schedule 2 of the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Procedure) Act 2013, and restore candidate nomination fees to the pre-existing level.
 * Trial use of electronic voting systems (not online) as an option in polling stations.
 * Specifications and source code will be made publicly available.
 * A verifiable paper-trail will be required.