Democracy for Sale

6 February 2010  Sydney Morning Herald

Cash for access faces an overhaul, write Adele Ferguson and Eric Johnston.  But will it happen?  

As accounting firms have beefed up lobbying efforts, they are also ramping up political donations, often on behalf of clients seeking access or to influence politicians or to silence the opposition, an investigation has found.  Research commissioned by the Herald from Democracy4Sale director Norman Thompson has found that accounting/advisory firms are donating vast sums to the major parties.

6 February 2010  Sydney Morning Herald

The stakes are high and businesses are prepared to pull out all the stops to get their way with the big political parties, write Eric Johnston and Adele Ferguson.   Paid lobbyists, campaigns to frighten politicians, political donations, numerous fund raising groups, just whatever it takes.

One of these large fund raising organisations is in NSW.  "The most prominent, the Millennium Forum, was set up in NSW in 1998 to raise money for the Liberal Party, to help it out of a financial crisis. It now pulls in at least $700,000 from subscriptions alone, according to the website Democracy4Sale."

2 February 2010  The Australian

Anthony Klan reports on the continuing role of large donations from hotels and clubs in spite of a downturn in the overall amount of donations reported by NSW parties to the AEC in a non election and global financial crisis year.

"Clubs and pubs are still buying influence with the major parties, and the AHA has bucked the trend and dramatically increased its donations," said Greens MP Lee Rhiannon.  Ms Rhiannon believes "in this election year we are sure to see more donations flowing in to win favour with the next government."

2 February 2010 

Robert Burton-Bradley reports on the Department of Local Government's decision to clear Cr Mallard of beaching the Sydney Council's code of conduct.  However, questions remain since Sydney Council CEO Monica Barone only submitted Mallard's self referral to the Department.  A complete and well documented complaint by local resident Matthew Drake-Brockman was not forwarded to the Department.  Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Democracy4Sale director Norman Thompson comment on the Department's decision and Mallard's reaction to this decision.