The Coastwatchers Association supports the reforms mooted by the Local Government Association of NSW and the developer lobby group, NSW Urban Taskforce, regarding donations to Council candidates.

Both organizations have called for a number of reforms that will lead to more transparency in the election process.

Mark Fleming, Coastwatchers' Vice President said today, "This is a very positive sign that many diverse groups are calling for limits to donations or totally banning them altogether".

He continued, "It appears that the only people in denial on this issue are the Councillors themselves".

Coastwatchers Association has strong views on this issue and we are calling for:

1. Full disclosure by all candidates of all donations
2. Larger donations from developers be banned
3. No donations over $2000.00 be allowed
4. Candidates to disclose the source of their donations 7 days before an election
5. Councillors to serve no more than two terms in office.

In a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Professor Daly, who authored the report into the Tweed Council has called for constraints on campaign spending. He said "Containing electoral expenditure would reduce the reliance on donations, and hence the potential for corruption".

Mark Fleming said, "We agree with Professor Daly's views on constraining expenditure in elections. This would improve the current situation in that the candidates that spend the most money get elected and also elect candidates lower on their tickets through the distribution of preferences".

"This does not always guarantee quality candidates getting elected to local government." He said.