[Greens-Media] Pubs and clubs donations skyrocket: new Greens donations research shows

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release 
23 April 2008

Pubs and clubs donations skyrocket: new Greens donations research shows 

Greens NSW MP Lee Rhiannon has released new data showing that donations by the hotels industry to the major parties in NSW have increased by 22 percent since the 2003 NSW election. Donations from clubs have increased by 34 percent. Hotels donated $2.7 million to the major parties between 2003-2007 and clubs over $845,000.

"New data from the Greens Democracy4Sale Project shows a dramatic increase in donations from the pubs and clubs industry between the 2003 and 2007 NSW elections," Ms Rhiannon said.

"There can be no serious policy debate about how best to combat alcohol and gambling in NSW until the corrupting influence of donations is erased from the political landscape.

"Reducing alcohol related crime, highlighted by the Auditor-General today, is a pipedream while the hotels and clubs industries wield undue influence from donations.

"The public will never know what deals are done with the hotels and clubs industry, but we do know that the Coalition has consistently voted with Labor to pass laws that benefit these industries.

"In recent years hotels and clubs have won more pokies, extended opening hours, exemptions to shut down periods for gambling and a half hearted smoking ban.
   
"The hotels industry donated $1.7 million to the government and over $1 million to the coalition between 2003-2007. Of this $2.7 million, $1.8 million came directly from the hotels lobby group, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA).

"Clubs donated $382,850 to the government and $461,864 to the coalition between 2003-2007. Of this $844,714, $512,692 came from the clubs lobby group, Clubs NSW.

"Hotels and the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) are now the fourth biggest donor to the major parties, after developers, unions and the finance industry.

"If Premier Morris Iemma and Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell are really serious about banning donations they should stop taking them from the hotels and clubs industry from today.

"Laws to ban political donations in NSW may still be years away. In the interim Labor and the Coalition will be free to keep pocketing these million dollar donations from hotels, clubs and developers," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Visit the Greens donations project at www.democracy4sale.org