Greens want curb on corporate donations THE Australian Greens are demanding a curb on corporate donations before they agree to back legislation that gives political parties millions of dollars from the public purse. Labor and the coalition have agreed on a plan that will give parties and successful independent candidates the annual equivalent of $1 for each vote they receive at a federal election. A document leaked to the media suggests the federal government has set aside $37 million in this year's budget so the scheme can start in June. Greens leader Christine Milne says her party will not support the move without a curb on corporate political donations. "The quality of our democracy, the quality of public policy, depends on people in parliaments making decisions on the merits of the case not according to the corporate donations," she told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. Independent senator Nick Xenophon said now was the time to clean up the system to make it more transparent and accountable. "If you are going to be getting a significant amount of pubic funding then you should be restricted in terms of the private donations you should be able to obtain," he said. Senator Xenophon said he ran his own election campaign on a shoestring, resorting even to walking up and down Adelaide's Rundle Mall wearing a billboard. It seemed to work, I think. That's why I'm here," he said. Treasurer Wayne Swan says it's crucial to address the transparency of political party funding. "Particularly when it comes to disclosure there is an urgent need to get full disclosure which makes sure our system is seen to be open and transparent," he told reporters in Canberra. The treasurer confirmed the government has reached an agreement with the coalition on the matter. There are other discussions regarding public funding as well and those matters will be dealt with as we go through the normal legislative process. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie will not support a move to channel more taxpayer dollars to political parties. "I don't think that is in any way in line with community expectations," he told reporters. I think it would be a grubby deal between the Labor party and the Liberal party if in fact a deal has been done. Mr Wilkie says the issue shone a light on political funding, an area he wants reformed so that all donations of more than $1000 are declared. Liberal senator Simon Birmingham defended the plan. "Democracy doesn't come cheap," he told Sky News. Labor backbencher Andrew Leigh says he is unaware if a final decision has been reached on the public funding element of the legislation. The arguing about ideas is healthy for a strong democracy and public funding is one aspect of that.