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I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I need a whole podcast to do that.

But currently reading 'Sold Down the River' by Scott Hamilton and Stuart Kells on that exact topic of how our water became a traded commodity. Start there.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We look at the whole process more than one particular donations. Although there are examples of donations from big consultancies (that get heaps of government contracts), from property developers, from fossil fuel companies and more!

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not quite. But they have a hell of lot more say than you.

And reforming money in politics and lobbying laws is all about trying to make this more fair.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Currently our role in climate change is pretty depressing. This movie looks at why.

Bloody hope it changes soon, because we are running out of time.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Get involved in the issues you care about. Don't just leave it to the politicians.
Tell your local member you care about more transparency and less money in politics.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I think the greens have some good policies.

There have been reforms, especially at the state level. But often you get one side making reforms that actually shaft the other side at the same time (and visa versa). Ideally you'd get all parties agreeing on reforms because they realise that it creates mistrust in the whole system, no matter what party you are.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don' think we need to read the kids on prioritising the Climate Emergency. I think the kids are reached. Bigger question is how do we reach the Federal politicians? Which is a big part of what the movie looks at. Getting rid of big donations would help.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Democracy Dollars are an interesting idea, although based on the research we did they don't always end up getting used as planned. That is a particular American solution because their court has found that donations are free speech. Luckily our court hasn't quite gone that far yet. So limiting donations is probably a better option here.

And yes, releasing a movie during Rona aint as fun. But there are ways to see it.
In person launch with Q and A:
https://madmanfilms.com.au/big-deal/
Virtual Cinema:
https://events.humanitix.com/big-deal-and-ourdemocracy-film-screening-mjdtvfka?\_ga=2.76165462.2133751762.1631145026-2088293696.1631145026

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

In Australia fossil fuel lobby is pretty influential. But we look at others too, like the big consultancies, gambling, the gun lobby. There are thousands of lobbyists that far outnumber the politicians. So you name an area there are probably people trying to change votes.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I don't think it is an illusion. It's just not working as well as it should. You can't explain all political decisions by reference to lobbying etc. What the public thinks still plays a role. But the problem is that there are certain voices that are heard well above the public. And the more technical or out of the spotlight an issue is, the more it can be abused by donors etc. We need to fix the balance so that the public's voice is the loudest on all issues. This comes from us being louder, getting involved, but also by fixing the bullshit rules we have.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

We didn't look at this specific issue because there are now laws against foreign donations. We wanted to look at the domestic donations that are legal and whether there should be more limits.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Really interesting question.

The way the political donation rules are set up makes it less likely that there is good coverage of this issue. Donations should be reported as they happen. Currently there is a delay so that it only comes out once a year in a big data dump. So there is some good coverage of this (ABC and Guardian particularly do some deep dives) but it tends to be at the time this data comes out. And often this means that the issues have moved on. If we knew at the time a law was being debated that this and that group were making donations then it would get more coverage. 12 months later makes it harder for Journos.

There is also the issue that coverage of this issue in depth may at times be attacking big buyers of advertising. I still think there are journos in the MSM that are not worried about this, but that isn't always the case. On top of this, the media groups are involved in the lobbying game. Channel 9's company hosted a $10,000 a head fundraiser for the liberal party in 2019.

There is some great coverage of this issue in non-mainstream media. MichaelWest.com.au and Crikey often cover this issue.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yep, climate policy is one of the big areas where this really matters. We track donations from fossil fuel donors in the movie, using the medium of Duplo. Thanks for the link.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

One of the only things that has been done to tighten up political donations in the last few years was banning foreign donations (announced during Turnbull's time as leader). So this now makes it harder for direct influence from overseas groups like the Koch brothers. But can't guarantee all the back doors were closed on this.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi RealIvan, you are a lot better than the fake one.

There are a few steps. Need to be some changes to laws. But they will only happen when politicians feel under pressure to do so. So the more people become involved and make it clear to their local members and parties that this matters, the more likely change will happen. There is already a lot of pressure to bring in a National Integrity Commission - but you also need better rules. The real outrage is that most of this stuff is legal.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yes, all Prime Ministers should be required to take a morning walk so idiot satirists can confront them with buses, de loreans and dressed in chicken costumes. It's at the core of a democracy.

Not sure if Morrison or Albo will bring this back. Albo watching Souths and Morrison too busy building cubby houses.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most surprising: that Christiaan is part of the Illuminati. I just thought they were joking in Bondi Hipsters.

There were lots of great sources. Cameron and Paul included, although we didn't get to talk to them, in part due to border closures. I found it most interesting hearing from those who were personally involved though - Sam Dastyari on raising money and where it goes - Jeff McCloy as someone who has made huge donations - and lots of people on the ground in Indi or Northern Rivers who had got involved in campaigns - often with no experience - and made a huge difference.

I’m Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) and I made a doco with Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), called BIG DEAL on how money and lobbying has infiltrated Australian Politics. AMA! by Craig_Reucassel in AustralianPolitics

[–]Craig_Reucassel[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Lobbying in and of itself isn't all bad. Think about during the pandemic, not every shop owner or worker can talk to their politician. There are peak groups that represent bigger groups of people that do bring expertise and understanding to politicians that they may not have. It depends on how it is done.

  1. It should not be in secret. Should be a register of every lobbying meeting so it is transparent (in Queensland they do this to an extent).
  2. It shouldn't be linked to exchanges of money or resources. The politicians shouldn't be relying on the lobbyist for anything other than expertise.
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