[Greens-Media] Yet another developer donations, this time to Labor

[John Kaye]

Yet another developer donations, this time to Labor

Media release: 7 October 2010

The NSW Labor party has been embarrassed by a potentially illegal donation from a developer given through Wollongong MP Noreen Hay, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye ('Donation to Labor may have broken party developer ban', SMH 7 October, http://bit.ly/smh101007)

The Election Funding Authority records show the developer of a large private medical complex in the Illawarra, La Vie, donating $1,200  to "Wollongong SEC – Noreen Hay", on 24 February 2010. While the company declared the donation, Ms Hay's return made no mention of it.

Dr Kaye said: "It is hard to believe that Noreen Hay did not know that La Vie was a property developer. Its application for a $316 million private medical and aged care complex has been a major event for the Illawarra.

"Noreen Hay has no excuse. She represents an electorate that has been the epicentre of NSW donation scandals. 

"She would have a comprehensive understanding of the 2009 law that bans developer donations, yet she accepted money from a company that is pushing through a major project in her region.

"Noreen Hay cannot even hide behind one of the many loopholes in the definition of a developer in the donations ban law. 

"La Vie lodged a development application and has signalled its intention to sell part of the development to raise finance. It is a developer even by the very narrow definition in the Act.

"Ms Hay not only accepted a developer donation after it was banned but she failed to declare the money on her own return. It appears that she may have broken two parts of the law. 

"Premier Kristina Keneally should dump the Wollongong MP if she wants to be taken seriously on campaign finance reform," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455