Greens calling for donations cap and register of lobbyists in new policy

The Green Party is seeking to cap political donations at $30,000, prevent companies from donating and implement a two-year stand-down period for ministers wanting to become lobbyists.

The reforms are part of the party’s plan to “get big money and influence out of politics” with a set of policies that share many similarities with the Opportunity Party.

Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick said if elected, they would look to cap donations from one person and candidates to $30,000 over an election cycle. Currently, there is no cap on the amount of money a person can donate.

The Green Party would end the ability for companies and trusts to donate, while also ensuring the name and postcodes of donors were published if they donated more than $1000 annually, down from $6000.

The party would also address lobbyists by setting up a public register, run by an “independent Lobbying Integrity Commission”, which would require lobbyists to report every four months on who they had lobbied and what for.

A stand-down period of two years would also apply to ministers, meaning they would have to wait 24 months before being able to be employed as a lobbyist. Other MPs, ministerial staff and senior public servants would have to wait one year under the policy.

“These ideas are not new. The Independent Electoral Review called for a cap on donations in 2023 and a lower disclosure threshold,” Davidson said.

“Our democracy should work for everyone, not just the wealthy few.”

In August, Opportunity announced its own “Clean up Politics” policy, which included many of the same or similar policies promoted by the Green Party.

Opportunity supported the same $30,000 cap, preventing companies and trusts from donating and a register for lobbyists.

It also supported a stand-down period but at one year for ministers, MPs and staff.

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.