[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Rann must join Bligh & ban MPs from ALP cash lunches

[Parnell]

Media Release
Monday 3rd August 2009

Rann must join Bligh & ban MPs from ALP cash lunches



Greens MLC Mark Parnell has called on Premier Rann to ban Labor MPs from attending fundraising events organised by SA Progressive Business.

The call comes as Premier Anna Bligh moves to ban Queensland Labor MPs from attending intimate party fundraisers with business people.

"It is extremely dangerous in a democracy for those with money to be able to buy access to Government MPs and Ministers," said Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

"Anna Bligh's move to take on the ALP fundraising machine is a courageous one, and deserves support.

"These high-priced, private ALP lunches and dinners are purely designed to facilitate access to key Government decision makers in return for cash for the Australian Labor Party," he said.

SA Progressive Business is an ALP fundraising body that organises intimate cocktail receptions, lunches and dinners for business people with Premier Rann and key Ministers such as Minister Conlon, Holloway and Foley as guests of honour.  The Chair is ex Labor Senator Nick Bolkus.

"It is outrageous that SA Progressive Business is promoting access to a Minister of the Crown as the reward for attendance at one of their events," he said.

"SA taxpayers have voted in a group of people to govern in the best interest of our state, not to act as a paid fundraiser for a political party.

"The public are well and truly sick of this type of backdoor fundraising for political parties.

"Premier Rann must act quickly to stamp out this threat to our democracy," he said.



For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893





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