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Abbott's donations vehicle breaches disclosure laws
Saturday 15 May 2010
Research by the Greens Democracy4Sale political donations project has found that The Warringah Club based in Brookvale NSW, which is a major political donor to the Liberal opposition leader Tony Abbott, has failed to meet its disclosure requirements under federal and NSW electoral laws over a nine year period, even following action taken by the Crown Solicitor's office.
Sydney Morning Herald today.
NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Democracy4Sale researcher Dr Norman Thompson have made an official complaint to the NSW Election Funding Authority, asking that the breaches be investigated. They are preparing a separate complaint for the Australian Electoral Commission.
The Greens Democracy4Sale researcher Dr Norman Thompson said, "It appears the Warringah Club has failed to comply with federal and NSW\ electoral laws for nine years now. This is a totally unacceptable.
"This breach by an organisation closely connected to Tony Abbott, in failing to comply with state and federal electoral laws, reflects poorly on the Opposition Leader.
"The Warringah Club failed to adequately meet the NSW Election Funding Authority's disclosure requirements four times, with the first instance pursued by the Crown Solicitor.
"This suggests its administrators either have something to hide or at best have a flagrant disregard for accountability.
NSW Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said, "By not making proper disclosures the Warringah Club is effectively dimming the lights on which companies and individuals are donating to Tony Abbott's campaign.
"Now Tony Abbott's popularity is on the increase his affairs will rightfully come under increased scrutiny. The public will expect a blemish free record on donations and Mr Abbott should explain to the public why these disclosure breaches continued unchecked.
"Setting up an associated entity like The Warringah Club to elicit donations is a deliberate funnelling strategy which enables individuals and companies to donate to Tony Abbott's campaign and gain access.
"Our Democracy4Sale research team only discovered the omissions by tediously searching through hundreds of returns from individual donors.
"It is possible that many thousands of dollars from major donors still remain hidden from the public," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information - visit www.democracy4sale.org
Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
Dr Norman Thompson 0419 296 144
NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Democracy4Sale researcher Dr Norman Thompson have made an official complaint to the NSW Election Funding Authority, asking that the breaches be investigated. They are preparing a separate complaint for the Australian Electoral Commission.
The Greens Democracy4Sale researcher Dr Norman Thompson said, "It appears the Warringah Club has failed to comply with federal and NSW\ electoral laws for nine years now. This is a totally unacceptable.
"This breach by an organisation closely connected to Tony Abbott, in failing to comply with state and federal electoral laws, reflects poorly on the Opposition Leader.
"The Warringah Club failed to adequately meet the NSW Election Funding Authority's disclosure requirements four times, with the first instance pursued by the Crown Solicitor.
"This suggests its administrators either have something to hide or at best have a flagrant disregard for accountability.
NSW Greens MP and donations spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said, "By not making proper disclosures the Warringah Club is effectively dimming the lights on which companies and individuals are donating to Tony Abbott's campaign.
"Now Tony Abbott's popularity is on the increase his affairs will rightfully come under increased scrutiny. The public will expect a blemish free record on donations and Mr Abbott should explain to the public why these disclosure breaches continued unchecked.
"Setting up an associated entity like The Warringah Club to elicit donations is a deliberate funnelling strategy which enables individuals and companies to donate to Tony Abbott's campaign and gain access.
"Our Democracy4Sale research team only discovered the omissions by tediously searching through hundreds of returns from individual donors.
"It is possible that many thousands of dollars from major donors still remain hidden from the public," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information - visit www.democracy4sale.org
Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
Dr Norman Thompson 0419 296 144
Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
Dr Norman Thompson 0419 296 144
