All SA Labor MPs, ministers to attend SA Progressive Business’s $500/head Cabinet exchange forum

The entire state cabinet and SA’s four federal Labor ministers will attend a “Cabinet exchange forum”, drawing criticism from the Greens.

The entire state Cabinet and SA’s four federal Labor ministers will attend a $500/head “Cabinet exchange forum” hosted by a group that has donated millions to the state branch of the party.

The event has drawn criticism from the Greens, who say it flies in the face of the state government’s pledge to ban political donations and gifts to parties, MPs and candidates.

But the government says fundraising will continue to be essential for parties until the ban is legislated.

A leaked email from SA Progressive Business, described as “a networking forum linking South Australian businesses with senior members of the South Australian Labor Party”, invited members to the annual event, being held from 3.30-6pm this Friday. Tickets are available for $500 per person plus a $10 fee charged by the booking platform.

“This is your opportunity (to) meet and greet every minister in the SA Labor Cabinet, exchange contact details and have constructive conversations across state and federal ministries,” the invitation said.

Greens MLC Robert Simms said the event raised serious questions. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

“Each minister and MP will have a set station, and guests are encouraged to circulate throughout the room, engaging in dynamic one-to-one discussions.”

Conversations are to be kept to a maximum five minutes, and there will be four “closed room policy briefings” with federal Health Minister Mark Butler, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell, state Treasurer Stephen Mullighan and Housing Minister Nick Champion.

Australian Electoral Commission records showed, since 2007-08, SA Progressive Business has donated $3.26m to the SA branch of the Labor Party.

SA Greens co-leader Robert Simms said the event raised serious questions about the government’s push to remove money from politics.

“Is this really the best use of the Cabinet’s time? What will be included in these ‘policy briefings’?” he said.

“The timing of the event is particularly curious given the government’s quest for donations reform.

“I think a lot of South Australians would be alarmed to see so many of their government ministers devoting an afternoon to attend this sort of event.”

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 would be reduced.

However, a government spokesman said Labor would continue to fundraise until the ban is enacted.

“The state government is currently consulting on landmark legislation to ban political donations, a world-leading move,” he said.

“Under current electoral laws, all political parties need to fundraise to run their operations, this includes the Greens, who also currently raise funds.

“This will continue unless the parliament supports the state government’s legislation.

“The state government looks forward to the introduction of this legislation to parliament in coming weeks and encourages all parties and independents to support it.”

Originally published as All SA Labor MPs, ministers to attend SA Progressive Business’s $500/head Cabinet exchange forum