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THERE HAS been a loss of confidence in the political system following exhaustive investigations by tribunals of inquiry and clear evidence of corrupt practices. Pursuit of the money trail may not have resulted in many prosecutions, but it has trashed political reputations and made a new approach to political funding imperative, along with an increase in transparency and greater scrutiny of expenditure at election time.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) has been calling for reform of funding and ethics legislation for years and some of its recommendations may, at last, be given effect. An independent electoral commission is due to be appointed later this year, as part of the programme for government, and there are indications the Government is preparing to legislate for limited reform.