The bills ban charities from using general donations on public communications about ‘electoral matters’, which includes commentary on issues like climate change during an election campaign.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said the dirty deal is an attack on democracy and truth in politics:

“This law kneecaps charities from doing their essential work during elections. By silencing independent voices, the Labor and Liberal parties are making sure Australians only hear from politicians on issues like climate change.

“This law gags independent and fearless advocates like the Climate Council from speaking out on the very issue we were set up to solve. How will Australians know what politicians are up to on climate change, if the only voices left in the debate during elections are politicians or their financial backers in the fossil fuel industry?”