[Greens-Media] Media Release: Ban gambling company political donations say the Greens

[Media]

May 14, 2005
Media Release for immediate use
Contact: Greg Barber (mob) 0433 044 771

Gambling companies must be banned from making donations to political 
parties in Victoria say the Greens.

"Since 1998, casino and pokie operators have donated over $1.3 million 
to the Labor, Liberal and National parties. Half of that money has gone 
to these parties in Victoria*," said Greg Barber, Upper House candidate 
and Greens gambling spokesperson.

"There are only two pokie operators in Victoria; Tattersalls and 
Tabcorp. Their licences expire in 2012 and the government is already 
moving to a decision about renewing these licences, possibly for another 
20 years**," Mr Barber said.

"The undue influence of this duopoly on Victorian politics should be 
reined in immediately. They should be stopped from using large donations 
to curry favour with parties and politicians," Mr Barber said."The 
current cap of $50 000 per annum*** does nothing to limit this sort of 
influence peddling as most annual corporate donations are below this 
level anyway."

For more information please contact
Greg Barber on (mob) 0433 044 771

Background
*http://fadar.aec.gov.au/ Register of Electoral Returns

** 
http://vic.greens.org.au/content/media/media-releases/300406PokerMachines

*** The current Electoral Act 2002 (Division 3 Section 216) says that 
the Casino and pokie operators cannot make donations greater than $50 
000 to a Victorian political party in any one year. These are the only 
companies donations limited by the Act.

The Australian Greens Victoria do not accept donation or funds from big 
business.

-ends-