GetUp! flooded with donations after Prime Minister Scott Morrison ‘declares war’ on them
GetUp! has had a surge of donations after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced another crackdown on the lobby group.
National
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GetUp!’s fighting fund is overflowing in response to an angry Prime Minister calling for a crackdown on the left-wing lobby group.
More than $190,000 was funnelled into its coffers on Sunday after GetUp! emailed a million of its members saying Scott Morrison had “declared war” on them.
At least 635 people were first-time donors and contributions averaged $38, which is $18 higher than average donations over the past year, according to GetUp! figures.
The cash splash from new and existing GetUp! members comes after Mr Morrison launched a blistering attack on the group on Saturday, alleging it was responsible for “vile personal attacks” on Boothby MP Nicolle Flint during the election campaign.
“In this term, we will revisit GetUp!’s claim they are politically independent, because we need to shine a bright light on this shady group that operates in the shadows away from full disclosure,” Mr Morrison told Liberal party faithful at the state council meeting.
More than 5000 financial contributions were made in 24 hours, increasing the donation total by almost a third to $714,985 in the past 30 days.
A GetUp! spokesman said the response was encouraging and should serve as a warning to the Government.
“It’s among the highest donation responses we have seen in a 24-hour period,” a spokesman said.
“Australians don’t like it when politicians try and silence dissenting voices.
“There is no evidence to support the Prime Minister’s claims.”
GetUp! witnessed a similar influx in support when the last Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) investigation was announced by the Coalition.
In February, the AEC concluded GetUp! was not controlled by a registered political party.
The latest review into its political independence will be the fourth it has faced.
Originally published as GetUp! flooded with donations after Prime Minister Scott Morrison ‘declares war’ on them
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