[Greens-Media] NSW Coalition corporate donations create "particular integrity concerns"

[John Kaye]

NSW Coalition corporate donations create "particular integrity concerns"

Media release: 11 February 2014

The Coalition is once again accepting donations from corporations despite
having told the High Court of Australia that this form of fund raising
creates "particular integrity concerns", according to Greens NSW MP John
Kaye.

('Political donations: Liberal Party reverses policy, accepts funds',
Sydney Morning Herald, 11 February, page 3, http://j.mp/smh140211)

In its October 2013 submission to the High Court in defence of the laws
banning corporate donations (see http://j.mp/NSWgvtsubOct13), the O'Farrell
government stated that:

"... raising of funds [by political parties] carries with it the potential
for undermining the integrity of governmental processes, or the creation of
an appearance of such" (cl 67, p.13)

"Threats to integrity can take a range of forms ... - for example, a Minister
being more willing to meet with representatives of a business if that
corporation has made a donation to the party; or the perception that a
business would have a better chance of getting its position heard by a
Minister if it is a party donor." (cl. 67, p. 13)

"the character and size of corporations raises particular integrity
concerns." (cl. 74, p. 14)

Dr Kaye said: "The O'Farrell government has put itself in the morally
ambiguous position of having last year argued to the High Court that some
of the donations that it now accepts raise 'particular integrity concerns'.

''Every dollar the NSW Coalition takes from a corporation tarnishes the
government's reputation and leaves it open to its own accusation of undue
influence and corruption.

"The O'Farrell government cannot have it both ways. After its lawyers made
the case that corporate donations are inherently more corrupting than money
from individuals, the Coalition should have stayed away from cash from the
big end of town.

"It is no excuse that the High Court did not accept their argument. If the
O'Farrell government was being entirely truthful with the High Court, they
are now honour bound to do as we do and reject all money from
corporations," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
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