The announcement from ACT Labor that it would immediately ban the political donations of property developers is a good decision that has been a long time coming.
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The territory has faced criticism in the past for its position to allow the heavyweights of the development industry to donate large amounts of cash to both sides of politics.
That the ACT could somehow be immune to the issues that cause other states and territories to have the ban in place is a laughable notion.
While there has never been any evidence of wrongdoing, the very fact that such a donation structure has been allowed has cast the planning system in a murky light for too long.
Indeed interstate leaders have criticised the territory in the past for allowing property developer donations.
That ACT Labor should wait until the second week of an election campaign to make the announcement would be seen by some as a last-minute grab for votes.
Certainly this is a decision that should have been taken long ago. But regardless, the pledges from both major parties on improving the transparency and accountability of government are welcome.
There has been much animosity directed at the Labor government and accusations of lack of transparency when it comes to decisions over planning in Canberra.
Proposals like the now-halted redevelopment of Manuka Oval and the surrounds by the GWS Giants, the Yarralumla Brickworks project and countless others have caught the community unawares.
There has long been a call for more transparency about the decisions of the government and in particular when it concerns a big change to an area the community is attached to.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr's statement that the major governance changes would "increase transparency, accountability and integrity in government" would be welcomed by many Canberrans in this regard.
The Canberra Liberals have previously announced plans for a more transparent government including an "integrity package" with an extra $3 million for the auditor-general and $900,000 for an independent public service commissioner.
Canberrans can rest assured that by all accounts the next government will be more transparent with its dealings.
