Palaszczuk Government developer donation ban claims first casualty in former Newman government minister Robert Cavallucci

A FORMER assistant minister in the Newman government is the first high-profile political casualty of Labor’s looming ban on property developers making political donations.

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A FORMER assistant minister in the Newman government is the first high-profile political casualty of Labor’s looming developer donation ban.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Robert Cavallucci – the former Member for Brisbane – has called an early annual general meeting of the LNP so he can resign from his party state executive post.

Mr Cavallucci declined to comment when contacted about his decision but it is understood the laws, expected to be passed in State Parliament in the May sittings, have forced his hand.

Former Newman government minister Robert Cavallucci. Picture: Tara Croser

The former MP – who served as an assistant minister for multicultural affairs during the LNP’s term – works in the development industry.

His family also owns a development company in Brisbane.

Mr Cavallucci would likely be captured by the definition of a developer under the Act, meaning he would be unable to continue on in his role as he would not be able to fly to state councils or other meetings.

Nor would he be able to participate in party fundraisers.

His decision is a blow for the party with Mr Cavallucci a much-respected member of the executive, one the party hopes will seek office again at some stage in the future.

LNP President Gary Spence says the ban of developers donating is anti-democratic. Picture: Annette Dew

LNP President Gary Spence has vowed to launch a court challenge to the developer donation ban should it be passed by State Parliament after labelling it anti-democratic.

The Palaszczuk Government initially introduced laws to enact the ban last year after the Crime and Corruption Commission recommended it be brought in for local government.

Labor extended it to the state arena as well and reintroduced it following its November election win.

If passed, it will be retrospective meaning any donations linked to developers that have been received by political parties and candidates since last October will have to be repaid.

A parliamentary committee probing the legislation is due to hand down its report into the laws on Monday.