There is little doubt Christian Porter’s sense of entitlement has a lot to do with his decision to not only accept an anonymous donation but also to stay in Parliament after the gift blew up in his face.
But his decision is also reflective of a culture in Australian politics where it’s OK to take political donations and not disclose where they come from.
Research in January revealed more than $1 billion in secret donations had been funnelled into Australian political parties since 1999. This has been largely because of the federal government’s high donation disclosure threshold of $14,300.
The research by the Centre for Public Integrity shows the source of almost 40% of donations to the Coalition over the past 20 years were kept secret. This compares with 28% of donations to the federal ALP.
Under the Commonwealth’s disclosure rules, donations under $14,300 do not need to be reported to the Australian Electoral Commission — a much higher threshold compared with the states and territories which are between $1000 and $5000.
As Crikey has frequently reported, this has a huge effect over time, particularly since there is no requirement for multiple donations of $14,299 to be disclosed. This enables donors to structure payments to political parties to hide where the money is coming from.
Han Aulby, executive director of the CPI, tells Crikey the Porter issue was just one example of the many ways in which money is hidden in politics in Australia.
“It’s a cultural problem, where they think it’s OK not to give the public a full view of who is funding their campaigns and their political parties,” they said.
They said the Porter issue also highlights how the definition of political donations is far too narrow.
“We know there are so many ways that people can contribute to political parties,” they said. “There is no structural accountability in our system to deal with these cases, and each scandal is dealt with slightly differently.”
Of course voters have a right to know who a government MP is receiving funds from, ministers or not. Although Porter’s case is particularly egregious, it may just be the latest example of the culture of secrecy that has plagued the Commonwealth political donations system for years.
The problems with political donations do not stop if secrecy stops.
Yes, donations which are secret or anonymous or attributed to another donor present particular problems. If they are not attributed, there is no transparency.
But if we had complete transparency, political donations continue to present major public issues. They buy interest. They influence decisions and that is their purpose. They illicitly corrupt the making of decisions away from the criteria that elected officials are elected and sworn to apply.
The problem does not stop at secret sources. The problem is that donations intentionally cause decisions to be made not in the public interest.
Of course Morrison should have sacked Porter from Parliament for accepting this donation.
But no, the cultural problem is not the secrecy. The cultural problem is the purchasing of illicit interest.
Past resignations due to non disclosures .NSW Premier .Crime failed to disclose a bottle of wine OUT.
Federal Liberal Ministers wife advertised Sheridan Sheets OUT. Labor cabinet member fails to declare a Paddington bear to customs OUT Labor Senator has travel expenses paid by Chinese businessman OUT Former most senior member of the PMs inner sanctum and Australias top legal man previously demoted and now the recipient of a million bucks to help him out dragged screaming from the pig trough with his mates by his side until even they could not stand the stench and then OUT .
Not much in the way of standards in this government but again what can you expect when two former party members now performing as a comedy duo claim their party has supplied three Australian PMs just to get a few preferences.Cost of preferences at last election $63 million-plus . Must have some benefits in spending that much money .
Barry O’Farrell out for a bottle of wine, oh come on. He was a player in the shocking AWH scandal that Mike Baird was involved in having appointed his mate Nickdi Girolamo. Baird did a runner, as will Berjiklian.
New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell says he will resign owing to a “massive memory fail” when giving evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Tuesday.
O’Farrell denied receiving a $3,000 bottle of wine in 2011 from Australian Water Holdings (AWH) executive Nick Di Girolamo.
The Premier also said he had no recollection of a 28-second call made from his phone to Mr Di Girolamo around the time he was allegedly sent the wine.
On Wednesday morning, ICAC heard that a handwritten note from Mr O’Farrell, thanking Mr Di Girolamo for the wine, had been uncovered.
Soon after Mr O’Farrell called a media conference in which he announced his decision to step down.
ICAC alleges AWH lobbied Mr O’Farrell over an agreement with the state-owned Sydney Water to roll out water infrastructure.
AWH, linked to the family of disgraced former MP Eddie Obeid, is accused of corruptly billing Sydney Water for expenses and using the money for political donations, executive salaries and various other expenses.
Berjiklian ….you’re next, and all that shredding you’ve been doing won’t help
And wait for the Liberal response:
The NSW Education Minister and Member for Murrumbidgee, Adrian Piccoli, says he is shocked by the announcement, adding that the focus of ICAC should be disgraced former MP Eddie Obeid.
“Barry has to be one of the most honest and decent people I’ve ever met,” he said.
“He’s obviously come to this decision based on actually how honest he is.
“I only know what I’ve seen in the media and read and heard.
“So we lose one of the best premiers we’ve had, over a $3,000 bottle of wine.”
However, State Opposition Leader John Robertson said yesterday’s events were not “about a bottle of wine” but about how the NSW Liberal Government operates.
“Today we’ve seen a Liberal Government in NSW that has allowed donors and lobbyists to reach into the heart of public administration in this state,” he said.
And fancy up to his neck in the Sydney Water/ Eddie Obeid show was a liberal heavyweight who when aiming for a mega bonus said did not know his boss was Eddie Obeid. Honor among thieves?
He followed the Politician Playbook perfectly. Deny, deflect, obfuscate, blame others.
Then when finally caught out, resign, knowing that you’ll be later rewarded with a plum appointment.
Barry O’Farrell is currently Australia’s High Commissioner to India.
There’s a reason that the US is the most corrupt democracy n the face of the planet. From local sherif to local judge to local politician to state and federal politician, you are required to raise funds for your election campaign. Why on earth would we want to follow in their footsteps…
“Drone first and apologise after”
The game’s rigged when both sides are on the same crooked teat.
Solve the problem.
BAN ALL political donations and have the AEC distribute a booklet/email paid for by taxpayers to all electors before an election.
When the screams subside – it would probably be cheaper than the pork barrelling.
Pork barrelling – Should be a a criminal offense under an effective independent ICAC who receive annual bonuses based on the number of successful prosecutions they achieve. Just dreaming.
the source of almost 40% of donations to the Coalition over the past 20 years were kept secret. This compares with 28% of donations to the federal ALP.
People are entitled to be cynical about the motives and actions of politicians of all stripes. However, it is disappointing that articles such as this rarely mention that Labor in Government has legislated for a low limit on unreported donations (Hawke years) and attempted to set a $1000 limit for such reporting in the Gillard period. This was defeated in the Senate. I also understand that Labor has committed to reintroduce such a limit at each subsequent election, just as it has committed to a federal ICAC.
Don’t the ALP and The Greens disclose donations over $1,000, even though it is not required?
YES THEY DO…but that doesn’t suit the LNP journos and their fellow travelers.
Must say I’m surprised that Crikey is singing from the same aforementioned song sheet
Misinformation anyone!!