Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling, is encouraging residents to have their say on whether or not local council election campaigns should be publicly funded.

“A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the public funding model is underway, so now is the time to speak up if you want to see the current system reformed,” Mr Besseling said.

“We’ve seen examples in the past where campaign donations and candidates’ expenditure have not been transparent and that can lead to rumour and innuendo, or, even worse, undue influence over council’s make-up and its decisions.

“Another consideration is whether or not an expenditure and donation cap could achieve similar results without the cost to ratepayers but still encourage broader participation in local government elections.

“Issues such as whether or not council elections should be publicly funded, who would be responsible for such funding and what funding model to consider are all questions that are likely to be addressed through this inquiry.

“Whichever model is ultimately recommended, an improvement in the levels of transparency and accountability must be the first objective,” Mr Besseling said.

An issues paper, outlining the case for and against, is available from the Port Macquarie electorate office or from the NSW Parliament website.

Submissions, which are due by September 20, can be emailed to electoralmatters@parliament.nsw.gov.au or sent to:
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Parliament House
Macquarie St
Sydney NSW 2000
Fax: 9230 3309
An inquiry was recently held into donations and public funding for state elections, and the government’s response is expected by late September.