The ALP should formulate a united position on public funding for political parties that could attract bipartisan support and end the cash-for-access culture in Australian politics, according to Labor's Joel Fitzgibbon.

He was joined by Labor's shadow special minister of state, Gary Gray, on Tuesday in calling for greater transparency around political donations.

Labor's Joel Fitzgibbon wants a political funding scheme that will attract bipartisan support. Credit:Damian White

Their intervention came after revelations by a Fairfax Media/ABC investigation that has laid bare the way in which Italian Mafia figures have used donations to both sides of politics in an attempt to secure results such as a visa for crime boss Frank Madafferi.

Mr Fitzgibbon, a member of the influential NSW Right, said he would like to see donation reform options debated at Labor's national conference this month.