Labor, Liberal parties still pocketing big bucks as political donor ban looms

Hotel lobbyists, a real estate identity and defence companies are still dropping huge amounts of money into political party coffers.

Donors are giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to major political parties in South Australia ranging from the hotels association to a high-profile real estate company and the Southpaw Social Club will be locked out under new reforms.

As criticism emerges over the Labor Party continuing to fundraise as it steers a new bill banning political donations and gifts through parliament in coming weeks, the official donor register reveals huge amounts of money still in play.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia gave the Liberal Party $25,000 last financial year and the Members Health Fund Alliance topped up coffers with another $5000, according to the Australian Electoral Commission register.

While defence company Saab Australia gave the Liberal Party $42,000 in 2021/2022 and real estate identity Bernard H Booth chipped in $18,260.

Regular chunks of money are split between the two parties by lobby group the Australian Hotels Association, it contributed more than $30,000 to the Liberal Party in the most recent financial year and more than $45,000 to the Labor Party.

Defence and engineering firm Saab Australia, is constructing a new facility and growth pipeline. Managing director Andy Keough pictured last year. Picture Dean Martin

The Labor Party has been flush with hundreds of thousands of dollars from union groups across the state over the years.

While leading accountancy firm KPMG Australia contributed more than $11,000 to the Labor Party kitty, Integrated Waste Services another $24,950 and Tabcorp Holdings $11,000 this financial year.

The Advertiser also revealed Monday that Labor ministers are luring punters to a $500 a head “Cabinet exchange forum” hosted by SA Progressive Business, a group that has donated more than $3.26 million to the party since 2007/2008.

A leaked email described the group as “a networking forum linking South Australian businesses with senior members of the South Australian Labor Party” and invited members to the annual event that is being held from 3.30pm to 6pm this Friday.

Following criticism from the Greens party that fundraising is continuing at a rapid rate despite consultation on the political donations bill, Special Minister of State Dan Cregan, the only independent MP in the Labor Cabinet, ruled out attending the event following questions in parliament yesterday.

“Until a reform is introduced into this parliament, which this government has committed to, which will limit the amount of influence that people can disproportionately have over politics, then both major parties will engage in the type of arms race which we have seen in this state for many decades,” Mr Cregan said.

Under the proposed ban on electoral donations, the existing public funding model would be restructured and the amount that parties, MPs and candidates can spend reduced.

Other leading donors listed on the Australian Electoral Commission list include the Southpaw Social Club - a left faction associated entity that donated $50,000 to the SA Labor Party in the 2021/2022 financial year.

“Under the proposed legislation political parties will not be able to receive any donations including from associated entities,” Labor Party state director Aemon Bourke said, when asked about the group.

A government spokesperson said the draft bill prohibits electoral donations to registered political parties including from businesses, unions, clubs or other entities.

“The bill is not yet law and does not yet have the support of the Liberals or Greens,” he said.

“All parties will continue fundraising on a level playing field until the ban is in place.”