AUSTRALIAN democracy has many friends. And many of them are willing to back their fondness for representative government with substantial financial contributions, as the most recent returns of political donations by the Australian Electoral Commission make clear.
When pressed on reasons for their donations, many contributors to political parties assert that they simply want to support the democratic process.
Others – usually non-donors – complain that parties receiving money from organisations with vested interests in government decisions may feel bound to deliver value for money to their benefactors.
And whenever political donors do happen to benefit from favourable parliamentary outcomes, allegations of undue influence often follow close behind.
In light of all this, the publication of donation returns is always keenly awaited, albeit with reservations about the long delay (18 months in this case) between the relevant election and publication.
The returns can be interpreted as a barometer of the standing of a party in the eyes of the donor community. It can also be read as a Who’s Who of entities with strong stakes in possible legislative changes that might affect their profits.
Observers have noted in the most recent returns a big drop in donations to the Labor Party and a corresponding increase in funds flowing to the Coalition.
Mining companies – which had felt threatened by the prospect of a super profits tax – gave generously to the Coalition. Hotels and clubs – perpetually interested in the shape of the legislative landscape at both state and federal levels – shovelled out money to both sides.
Australia’s biggest ethanol producer, Manildra, continued its tradition of generous support to both sides of politics and the Liberals continued to receive donations from the tobacco industry, money from which the ALP will no longer accept.
Hunter coal industry investor and coal loader proponent Nathan Tinkler is recorded as giving $22,000 to the federal Liberal Party, in addition to a $50,000 donation to the federal National Party.
Coal loader consortium the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group gave $50,000 to the NSW Liberal Party. The NSW Minerals Council gave $33,800 to the NSW Liberals, dwarfing its $1000 donation to the state’s opposition Labor Party.
Whether such political donations influence the shaping of the law is a question about which voters can only speculate.
Boost for low-paid
THE low pay of many workers – mostly women employed in community services and caring professions – has been the subject of much comment over the years.
A decision of Fair Work Australia to grant those workers big pay-rises over the next eight years has tacitly endorsed suggestions that their contribution to the community has been undervalued.
A large proportion of the 150,000 people affected are employed by government organisations, some of which have already warned of the impact on their budgets. No doubt they are right, but justice demands the unfairly low pay-rates must end.
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