Queensland residents draw to the attention of the House their concern about the influence that property developers may have on councils and government when they make decisions about planning and development approvals.

Developers' donations can influence decisions in their favour, and away from the community's economic interests. Residents' lifestyle and the environment can also suffer.

In a recent judgment the High Court of Australia found that property developers merit specific regulation in light of the nature of their business activities and the nature of the public powers which they may seek to influence in their self-interest. The Court stated that:

"The value of land is peculiarly tied to governmental decisions relating to such matters as zoning and whether or not particular development applications are approved. These governmental decisions often involve State and local government officers in an individualised, discretionary decision-making process, it is therefore unsurprising that there are concerns about the actual and perceived susceptibility of members of State and local government to influence from property developers."

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to give serious consideration to enact legislative provisions which impose caps on political donations, prohibit property developers from making such donations, and restrict indirect campaign donations, similar to the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981 (NSW).