[Greens-Media] ICAC must examine Auburn Central donation link

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release - 21 August 2008

ICAC must examine Auburn Central donation link 

Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says ICAC must thoroughly examine the role donations played in the concessions granted to the developers of Auburn Central because the Department of Local Government has failed to properly consider this issue in its investigations (p. 5, Sydney Morning Herald).

"The Local Government Department's report into Auburn Central lets Labor off the hook. The question remains, if donations played no part how else do you explain the extraordinary concessions and generous land deals granted to the developer?," Ms Rhiannon said.

"I visited Auburn just last week and saw first hand the dreadful state of the building.

"The report asserts there is no direct link between the $152,000 worth of donations developer Sarkis Nassif and his companies have given to Labor since 2002 and this controversial development.

"The Local Government Department's report plays down the role of donations on the basis that none were made around key approval dates and because most were made to candidates and branches outside of the Auburn area.

"The report totally misunderstands the role donations play in the development process.

"Donations are not kept in silos. Labor moves them around between Sussex Street and different candidates, which in this case include the Minister for Western Sydney Barbara Perry, Transport Minister John Watkins and the Minister for Police, David Campbell.

"And while donations may not have been given around a key approval date their influence still lingers," Ms Rhiannon said.

Auburn Greens Counsellor Malikeh Michaels says:

"Woven through the Auburn Central story is evidence of developer donations and dodgy land sales. 

"Residents of Auburn and tenants of Auburn Central must now wear the damage - a dangerous, structurally unsound building and the loss of $5 million of public money from the cheap sale of council land.

"The Greens do not take developer donations. Premier Iemma must quickly move to ban developer donations to clean up the democratic process.

For more information contact:
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Auburn Greens Councillor Malikeh Michaels  - 0424 177 791
Donations figures from the Greens Democracy4Sale project: www.democracy4sale.org. 
The Department of Local Government's Report: http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/documents/Information/Auburn_S430_Investigation_Report.pdf 





Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au