Tasmanian elections must never be for sale

Americans have just watched billions of dollars poured into their elections by special interest groups and the rich and powerful.

Elon Musk spent more than $200 million trying to win a single Senate seat in Texas.

Tasmania is not immune. Right now, there is no limit on how much can be spent in a state election, and nothing stopping billionaires and vested interests from trying to buy influence here.

Labor’s spending caps bill would change that. It would put a ceiling on election spending, so candidates compete on ideas and hard work.

We don’t want to end up like America. Tasmanians deserve elections decided by voters, not bought by billionaires.

Every Member of Parliament now has a choice. They can back the rich and powerful buying influence in Tasmanian elections, or they can back a fair contest decided by voters.