INDEPENDENT NEWS

ACT Opposes Taxpayer Funding for Political Parties

Published: Wed 19 Dec 2001 01:35 PM
ACT leader Richard Prebble says the ACT Party strongly opposes taxpayer money being spent to fund political parties.
Mr Prebble was responding to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee's move to investigate the issue of state funding for political parties.
"Politicians have no right to reach into taxpayers' pockets and ask them to fund the political views of parties they don't agree with.
"If party supporters are not prepared to give money to support their party, why should the taxpayer? Voluntarism is an important part of the political process.
"When political parties are state funded, it's inevitable that politicians become even more out of touch with the community.
"Fundraising is a humbling experience for a politician - I say that from personal experience.. It will be a huge setback for democracy if politicians no longer have to sell raffle tickets," Mr Prebble said.
ENDS

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