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Bill Shorten backs political donation reform after reports of mafia links Bill Shorten backs political donation reform after reports of mafia links
(35 minutes later)
Bill Shorten has indicated he would support changing political donation laws after revelations about the mafia’s alleged links to Australian politics.Bill Shorten has indicated he would support changing political donation laws after revelations about the mafia’s alleged links to Australian politics.
The opposition leader said the Liberal party had questions to answer over former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone’s decision in 2005 to overturn an order to deport Francesco “Frank” Madafferi despite his convictions for extortion, mafia conspiracy, two stabbings and drug and gun possession in Calabria.The opposition leader said the Liberal party had questions to answer over former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone’s decision in 2005 to overturn an order to deport Francesco “Frank” Madafferi despite his convictions for extortion, mafia conspiracy, two stabbings and drug and gun possession in Calabria.
Related: Four Corners reveals how Calabrian mafia aligned itself with Australian MPs
Speaking in Melbourne, Shorten said: “We ask Mr Abbott and the Liberal party to join with us to further improve confidence in our democratic system.”Speaking in Melbourne, Shorten said: “We ask Mr Abbott and the Liberal party to join with us to further improve confidence in our democratic system.”
On Tuesday a former federal Liberal leader, John Hewson, said all political donations except those from individuals should be banned in the light of the mafia allegations reported by Fairfax and the ABC.On Tuesday a former federal Liberal leader, John Hewson, said all political donations except those from individuals should be banned in the light of the mafia allegations reported by Fairfax and the ABC.
Hewson told ABC radio there should be a $1,000 cap on donations from individuals, with immediate and continuous disclosure.Hewson told ABC radio there should be a $1,000 cap on donations from individuals, with immediate and continuous disclosure.
The Greens have also seized on the mafia revelations to renew calls for an overhaul of the donations system.The Greens have also seized on the mafia revelations to renew calls for an overhaul of the donations system.
Senator Lee Rhiannon said the major party leaders should not expect the scandal to just blow over and had to act quickly to tighten rules.Senator Lee Rhiannon said the major party leaders should not expect the scandal to just blow over and had to act quickly to tighten rules.
Continued failure to act just added to already deep public cynicism about the motivations behind giving and receiving large political donations, she said.Continued failure to act just added to already deep public cynicism about the motivations behind giving and receiving large political donations, she said.