[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Developer donations exposed by new Bill

[Parnell]

Media Release
Thursday 10th April, 2008

Developer donations exposed by new Bill

	
Greens MLC Mark Parnell last night introduced a Private Member's Bill*
to force property developers to publicly disclose their donations to
political parties at the time they lodge applications for major
developments.

"The best disinfectant is sunlight," Mr Parnell said. 

"The stories from NSW just get worse and worse.  The overwhelming
perception is that property developers see political donations as a way
to buy influence and obtain favourable decisions.  

"The community has a right to know how much money has been given by a
property developer to political parties before approvals are given.  

"At the moment we often don't find out about relevant political
donations until well after the Government has acted - that's simply not
good enough.

"While ultimately the Greens think all developer donations to political
parties should be banned, until that happens it's critical that a system
is put in place that enables the public to know exactly what is going
on.

"If these political donations are legitimately done to enhance the
democratic process, then property developers will not mind revealing how
much they donate.  If however, the intent is less public spirited, my
Bill will make both the developer and the recipient political party
think twice.

"Perceptions are important.  This simple, but important reform is
essential to increase public confidence in the system," he said.

 
*The Development (Political Donations) Amendment Bill 2008 will require
all development applications greater than $4 million (or including a
subdivision of 10 or more plots) to be accompanied by a statutory
declaration detailing all political donations made in the previous 2
years.

	
For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

	


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