Democracy for Sale

Manly Council governs a seaside community with prime real estate values in Sydney's north, where developer's have much to gain from Council decisions.

There are most certainly plenty of donations changing hands in Manly, both at a state and local government level.

The state Liberal MP for Manly Michael Baird, who has been outspoken on donations reform, had a campaign expenditure of over $263,000 yet he declared receiving no political doantions.  That's because at a state level, the Liberal party funnells all its donations through the Liberal Party’s head office, effectively hiding who is attending fundraisers in his electorate and buying influence in Manly.
 
Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell was a hypocrite to attack Wollongong ALP MP Noreen Hay’s delay in declaring donations because Liberal candidates did not disclose any donations for the 2003 and 2007 state elections.  While strictly speaking this practice is permissible under the current donations scheme, the Liberal party is flouting the tenets of accountability and transparency.