Peter Andren MP, the Independent member for Calare, considers the impact of the recent changes to media law on media diversity in rural areas. The laws, which will allow a single owner to control both television and newspapers in a particular market, will see, he says, an end to local content in rural areas.

Peter Andren MP, the Independent member for Calare, considers the impact of the recent changes to media law on media diversity in rural areas. The laws, which will allow a single owner to control both television and newspapers in a particular market, will see, he says, an end to local content in rural areas.

The federal government's proposal to increase the disclosure limit for donations to political parties from $1500 to $5000 is a further blow to transparency and accountability, argues Peter Andren, the independent member for the federal electorate of Calare.

Peter Andren, the independent federal member for Calare, attacks the excesses of parliamentary 'entitlements' employed in the pursuit of re-election. 'We have a system,' he writes, 'that delivers all representatives incredible privileges and power through incumbency.'