Call for donation overhaul after major parties reap $14m in undisclosed funds
VICTORIA’S major political parties have pocketed almost $14 million in untraceable donations and revenue, prompting calls for reporting loopholes to be closed amid the alleged Lobster Mobster scandal.
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VICTORIA’S major political parties have pocketed almost $14 million in untraceable donations and revenue, prompting calls for reporting loopholes to be closed amid the alleged Lobster Mobster scandal.
Questions are being raised over whether organised crime syndicates, lobbyists and big business are abusing donation transparency laws by channelling millions of dollars in small payments.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy is facing increasing pressure to act after denying he was part of a plot to provide untraceable funds to the Victorian Liberal Party after he was caught dining with alleged Mafia figure Tony Madafferi.
Mr Madafferi denies the allegations and has never been charged with any offences.
Secret tapes of Liberal Party identity Barrie Macmillan talking about the dinner allegedly reveal discussions of how to circumvent the current Federal $13,200 political disclosure threshold, according to Fairfax reports.
Analysis of Australian Electoral Commission documents show the Victorian Liberal Party received a total of $13.7 million in donations and revenue in 2015/16 but did not report the origin of $7.55 million in funds.
A further $584,000 poured in from party operated 200 Club fundraisers in Melbourne.
The Cormack Foundation, also known as “the bucket” for it’s lucrative campaign contributions, provided $2.53 million.
State President, Michael Kroger denied payments from organised crime figures.
“we have looked at our records in fact going back to 2006, since Matthew Guy has been in Parliament, none of those people have given any disclosable amounts to the Liberal Party.”
The Labor Party fared slightly better with $6.4 million in unknown donations and revenue, with an added $400,000 coming from their fundraising arm Progressive Business.
ALP Assistant State Secretary Kosmos Samaras told the Herald Sun “we have not received any money from alleged organised crime figures.”
Deputy James Merlino discussed the scandal on ABC Radio following the revelations, saying it was “quite extraordinary and goes to the character and judgment of the person who wants to be the next premier of Victoria.”
However, Mr Merlino refused to be drawn on reforms saying “I am not here to make any announcements around donation reform ... or talk about what may or may not be discussed at Cabinet level.”
Victorian Greens MP Ellen Sandell has flagged the minor party will embark on a new campaign to end the corrupting influence of political donations, which could include introducing new legislation to increase transparency.
She said Mr Guy’s recent dealings “make it more important than ever, yet neither Labor nor the Liberals will agree to change political donation rules,” she said.