Democracy for Sale

Royce Millar The Age & Sydney Morning Herald 17 April 2010

An analysis by The Age and Democracy4Sale researcher Norman Thompson found the personal financial backing for Liberal heavyweights Hockey and leader Tony Abbott from 2007 to 2009 through dinners, cocktails, donations and membership of local policy ''forums'' that jovial Joe Hockey has managed to draw more than $500,000 from Australian business. Tony Abbott was far behind, but was able to rake in much health company money although it appears much remains hidden from the public.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon called on Mr Abbott to address the ongoing controversy around campaign funding, and the need for reform. ''Tony Abbott is desperate to gain headway in the polls,'' Ms Rhiannon said. ''He would be wise to clean up his own house, break his silence on the issue and commit to reforming federal funding and disclosure laws."

Royce Millar The Age 16 April 2010

VICTORIAN businesses to hand over tens of thousands of dollars to the Liberal Party in exchange for exclusive access to its most senior federal and state politicians, including leaders Tony Abbott and Ted Baillieu.

Royce Millar The Age 6 April 2010

Victorian Labor's fundraising arm, Progressive Business, may have cancelled their controversial annual business forum, but Lindsay Fox's son Andrew is set to host an exclusive $5000-a head soiree for Labor at his Toorak mansion.

Victorian government senior cabinet members expected to attend include Treasurer John Lenders, Finance, Water and Tourism Minister Tim Holding, and Roads, Ports and Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas.  Premier Brumby would not comment yesterday about the probity of such events, or even if he was attending.

Editorial in Melbourne's Age 3 April 2010

After investigative reporter Royce Millar's revelation that the Victorian Labor Party has scrapped plans for a major fund raising event by its' associated entity, Progressive Business, The Age's editorial argues that while political fund-raising bodies such as Progressive Business may be necessary to help swell the party coffers, they should never be seen as a convenient way to do business. In any healthy democracy, political influence must never be bought, but judged impartially and fairly.