[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Dump Dodgy Developer Donations

[Parnell]

Media Release
5th February 2007

Dump Dodgy Developer Donations: Greens

Greens MLC Mark Parnell has called for all property developers to be
banned from donating to political parties, in the wake of Australian
Electoral Commission figures that reveal property developer Land SA gave
three separate donations totalling $35,000 to the SA Labor Party a month
before the Rann Government extended the state's Urban Growth Boundary.

"This has simply got to stop. Not only does the system need to be
squeaky clean, it must be seen by the public to be squeaky clean.  While
developers are allowed to donate to political parties, there is always
going to be a perception that favourable decisions are influenced by
cash," Mark Parnell said.
 
Land SA is part of the Pickard Group.  Much of the Group's land
development activity is centred on Blakeview in Adelaide's North, with
another Pickard subsidiary, Fairmont Homes recently spending $20 million
to purchase land in the area.  On the 1st and 4th of June 2007, Land SA
gave three separate donations totalling $35,000 to add to the $4,900
they donated in Dec 2006.  In July 2007, the Planning Minister Paul
Holloway announced an extension of the Urban Growth Boundary, including
new land in Blakeview set for immediate housing development.

"Why spend precious money on behalf of your shareholders unless you
expect something in return?  A flurry of donations by a land developer
just before the Government makes a major announcement on extending the
urban growth boundary has got to raise questions," he said.

Nationally, property developers were very generous donors to the ALP.
In NSW, well over $2 million was donated to the Labor party in the last
year from some of Australia's biggest property developers, while the
Rudd campaign benefited by almost half a million dollars.

"The public need to have confidence in the system. At the moment, the
perception is that the more generous a donor you are, the better access
to Government you'll get. That is bad for democracy.

"This type of unhealthy influence can only be stopped if big developers
who stand to gain from favourable government decisions are prevented
from donating to all political parties," Mr Parnell said. 

 
 For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893




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