Don't like the idea of a new-build in your street ruining that riverside view?

Find a paper bag, fill it with cash and deliver the bundle to your preferred council election nominee.

Perhaps they'll give your chosen cause a less-than-gentle nudge in the right direction.

Nobody ever needs to know.

At least, not under existing Tasmanian laws.

And that's exactly where the problem lies.

Candidates for local government elections are not required to reveal who funds their campaigns.

Tasmania is the only state in the nation where this non-disclosure is allowed.

It is an absurdity that flies in the face of proper transparency and probity.

It is a corruption-fuelling loophole which must be plugged.

What's more, it was suggested this week that unless somebody at the council table knew of the transaction, nobody would need to flag a pecuniary interest, should the need arise.

A Southern Tasmanian mayor was spot-on when she pointed out to MLCs there were no free lunches in the world of politics.

Generous gestures must be traded off somewhere down the line, an upper house inquiry was told.

Development and planning decisions are most obviously compromised by the secretive practice, but the potential problem could spread much further.

Think sweeteners, endorsements and exposure for select arts organisations, sports clubs and community groups.

The public has a right to know who has donated to whom.

More safeguards are in place at a state government level, but gaps remain.

Currently, political parties must submit details of donations to the Australian Electoral Commission each year.

However, that information is not released for at least four months, often well after donations are made.

Only payments above a $12,400 threshold are reported, with anything below that figure not needed to be revealed.

Curiously, there appears to be no funding and disclosure requirements for individual candidates, be they party-endorsed or independent.

Surely, this particular hole ought be poked and prodded further, to see whether it need be sealed.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with individuals, businesses or interest groups donating to local or state election campaigns.

The notion of banning anybody with legitimate intentions or trading in legal products from participating leaves a bitter taste.

Taking part in the political process mustn't be discouraged.

All power to them, if they agree with a nominee's platform or party's policies, and want to see them elected.

But again, the public deserves to know where campaign cash is coming from.

An examination of the Electoral Act has fanned fresh debate about capping party donations and lowering reporting thresholds.

It is a conversation worth having. The existing system is not broken beyond repair, but it is far from perfect, either.

There is also merit in disclosing much more regularly who has contributed what, when, and to whom.

But while these concepts are thrashed around among state political parties, Tasmania's local governments have some serious catching up to do.

More than three years remain until the next local elections.

There is more than enough time for those at the coalface to drive change required without it looking like a witch-hunt.