[Greens-Media] Caught in the act: Liberal NSW fundraising returns to politics for sale

[John Kaye]

Caught in the act: Liberal NSW fundraising returns to politics for sale

Media release: 24 February 2014

NSW Liberal party fund raising tactics using access to ministers as a lure
for big-spending donors was condemned by the O'Farrell government's own
submission to the High Court as an example of a threat to 'the integrity of
governmental processes', according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

('O'Farrell government opens its doors to party donors with big fundraising
drive', Sydney Morning Herald, 24 Feb, p. 5, http://j.mp/OqGL1s)

In its October 2013 submission (http://j.mp/NSWgvtsubOct13) to the High
Court in defence of the laws banning corporate donations, 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)

Dr Kaye said: "Premier Barry O'Farrell's lawyers cited ministerial access
for sale as an example of the damage political donations can do.

"Now his party has been caught in the very act that his lawyers condemned.

"If the Premier wants to improve trust in the political process, he should
put a stop to the old-style fundraising where cash can purchase
face-to-face influence over government decisions.

"A good place to start would be with his own political party.

"It looks like the Liberals have offered the big end of town a fund raising
deal where paying more takes a donor higher up the decision-making chain.

"Mr O'Farrell's party has been caught in the same auctioning off of access
to their ministers that contributed to the cash-grab culture that undid
Labor in NSW.

"In the absence of laws that prohibit this kind of integrity risk, the
Premier should show his own party the same zeal for reform that he turned
loose on Labor and the unions," 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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