[Greens-Media] Abbott's donations vehicle breaches disclosure laws

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
15 May 2010

Abbott's donations vehicle breaches disclosure laws

Research by the Greens Democracy4Sale political donations project has
found that The Warringah Club based in Brookvale NSW, which is a major
political donor to the Liberal opposition leader Tony Abbott, has
failed to meet its disclosure requirements under federal and NSW
electoral laws over a nine year period, even following action taken by
the Crown Solicitor's office. (SMH http://bit.ly/9KdfxC)

NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Democracy4Sale researcher Dr Norman
Thompson have made an official complaint to the NSW Election Funding
Authority, asking that the breaches be investigated. They are
preparing a separate complaint for the Australian Electoral
Commission.

The Greens Democracy4Sale researcher Dr Norman Thompson said, "It
appears the Warringah Club has failed to comply with federal and NSW
electoral laws for nine years now. This is a totally unacceptable.

"This breach by an organisation closely connected to Tony Abbott, in
failing to comply with state and federal electoral laws, reflects
poorly on the Opposition Leader.

"The Warringah Club failed to adequately meet the NSW Election Funding
Authority's disclosure requirements four times, with the first
instance pursued by the Crown Solicitor.

"This suggests its administrators either have something to hide or at
best have a flagrant disregard for accountability.

NSW Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said,  "By not
making proper disclosures the Warringah Club is effectively dimming
the lights on which companies and individuals are donating to Tony
Abbott's campaign.

"Now Tony Abbott's popularity is on the increase his affairs will
rightfully come under increased scrutiny. The public will expect a
blemish free record on donations and Mr Abbott should explain to the
public why these disclosure breaches continued unchecked.

"Setting up an associated entity like The Warringah Club to elicit
donations is a deliberate funnelling strategy which enables
individuals and companies to donate to Tony Abbott's campaign and gain
access.

"Our Democracy4Sale research team only discovered the omissions by
tediously searching through hundreds of returns from individual
donors.

"It is possible that many thousands of dollars from major donors still
remain hidden from the public," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information - visit www.democracy4sale.org
Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
Dr Norman Thompson 0419 296 144