Cash-for-access spotlight on Abbott’s fundraisers

The Age and SMH

Greens Democracy4sale research undertaken by Norman Thompson has

revealed that the Warringah Club, a fund raising body named after Mr

Abbott’s electorate, failed to lodge some of the disclosure forms that

legally should have been lodged between 2007-8.

Ms Rhiannon said, "Mr Abbott needs to urgently clean up his house,

break his silence on the issue and commit to reforming federal funding

and disclosure laws.

"For the Warringah Club to not disclose two years in a row, having

been pursued by the Crown Solicitor the first time, suggests there is

something to hide, or at best there has been a flagrant disregard for

accountability.

"Mr Abbott’s campaign has been kept afloat by the usual mixed bag of

donors to the major parties, from wealthy individuals to property,

finance, clubs, pubs and pharmaceutical interests keen to part with

large sums of money.

"The cash-for-access spotlight is now on the Liberals. From 2007 to

2009 when Mr Abbott was Health Minister in the Howard government much

of the $250,000 he raised was from prominent health industry contacts.

"In 2007 Mr Abbott accepted more than $50,000 from pharmaceutical

lobby, Medicines Australia.

"Who knows what goes on when these fundraisers are held and the

cheques are handed over but it is not a good look particularly for an

aspiring prime minister.

"Mr Abbott should immediately call a halt to the exclusive meetings

with company heads that are offered in return for donations to the

Liberal Party.

"Former NSW Liberal leader Nick Greiner’s explanation in the

promotional material states that these events are ‘increasingly

becoming the centre of policy discussion in the political process’.

‘The average voter, without cash to burn, is not enjoying the same

level of access to prominent Opposition leaders. These large

donations potentially create a conflict of interest for the politician

and the community perception is that it is buying influence.

"The Greens research illustrates that Liberal heavyweights like Mr

Abbott and Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey are capable fundraisers,

bagging cheques in impressive quantities by opening their doors to big

business.

"In the rush to bank the cheques and to hold even more fundraisers it

looks like Mr Abbott and Mr Hockey have forgotten about the public's

interest in electoral funding reform," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information – 0427 861 568

--