O'Farrell gags debate on funding laws
Posted: Thursday, 16 February 2012 | By: John Robertson
Barry O'Farrell shut down debate in the Parliament today - refusing to allow Labor members to speak out against his changes to election funding laws which override basic democratic freedoms and ensure only the independently wealthy can participate in the political process.
Opposition Leader John Robertson said it was a despicable act from a Premier obsessed with controlling public debate and political action in NSW.
"The Premier gagged debate on this issue because he didn't want to allow Labor parliamentarians to highlight the parts of the Bill that disadvantage the least well off in our community," said Mr Robertson.
"These laws give a voice to the wealthy and silence the weak.
"The Premier has shown his true colours today - shutting down debate in the Parliament, in order to pass laws that silence dissent in the community.
"The people of NSW didn't vote for Barry O'Farrell so that he would give more power to the big end of town – and cut regular people out of the political process.
"Barry O'Farrell was elected on a platform of honesty and transparency in Government – instead he is silencing political dissent at every opportunity."
Tags: advocacy, Barry O'Farrell, community, donations, funding, John Robertson, law, unions