Regional Development Minister and Independent MP for Frome Geoff Brock says he wants a loophole exempting independents from declaring campaign donations closed.

Responding to revelations in yesterday’s InDaily that suggest new legislation may not go far enough to ensure independents – particularly those serving as Government ministers – are held to a rigorous standard of accountability, Brock said: “I can understand that’s an awkward situation.”

“I think we all should be treated the same,” he said.

State parliamentarians’ disclosure obligations are currently based on the federal act, which means parties and candidates only registered at state level are not covered.

This will change in July when state amendments passed in 2013 finally come into force. But InDaily understands while parties will then have to record all donations above $200 and declare any above $5000 every six months, individual unendorsed candidates will still have no disclosure obligation until the January before the next election, scheduled in March 2018.

That means Brock and Martin Hamilton-Smith – the only two independents in the state’s House of Assembly – will have no disclosure obligations for the remainder of the term, despite both of them serving on Labor’s frontbench for the duration.

Brock’s portfolios cover Regional Development and Local Government, while Hamilton-Smith’s include Defence Industries, Veterans’ and Investment and Trade.

Hamilton-Smith, currently on a trade mission to Europe before joining the Premier’s delegation to China, has reportedly sought to raise funds through the Waite Industry Leaders’ Club. He refused a request to disclose a list of his donors to InDaily.

Both Brock and Hamilton-Smith have signalled their intent to run again in 2018, however if either opted to retire they would have no obligation to disclose any campaign funds raised in the interim.

Brock told InDaily he wanted to close any loophole that meant independents were treated differently from major parties, and would seek a briefing from the electoral commission on the matter.

“I’m happy to talk to the electoral commissioner moving forward, (I’ll talk) with all the people, ICAC and things like that,” he said.

“I’m quite transparent with everything I get – if I get $5000 (in total) donations, I’d be lucky.”

He said he didn’t “go looking” for donations, and spends “no more than $12-$13,000 per election”.

“That’s all I spend … I had about seven donors in the last election, I don’t have any fundraising events and I pay everything (else) out of my own pocket, and have a separate account for that,” he said.

“I’m quite happy to pursue this with the commissioner and through the system to ensure independents have the same obligation to declare as the major parties.

“We’ve all got to be transparent, and the more transparent we are, the better.”