Malcolm Turnbull's donation to Liberal Party could remain secret until next year
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s personal donation to the Liberal Party in last year’s federal election could remain a secret until next year. An amount of close to $100,000 to the Liberal Party was donated by at least three Federal Government ministers.
According to most recent statistics from the Australian Electoral Commission, the Liberal Party received a donated amount of as much as $15 million in 2015-16. This was an increase from about $10.3 million in the previous year.
It has not been determined if Turnbull donated any money to the campaign. As there is a possibility that the donation was made after June 30, the disclosure could be pushed forward to early 2018. A spokesman for Turnbull said the figures will be released within the rules by the Liberal party organisation.
A donation of $50,000 was made by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and $20,000 by Senator Simon Birmingham. Although Finance Minister Mathias Cormann contributed $29,000, his office noted it was made by a Liberal Party Campaign Committee – and that it was not a personal donation. Husband of former MP Sophie Mirabella, Greg Mirabella, gave $35,000 in donation.
Greens electoral spokeswoman Lee Rhiannon described the laws concerning donations as “utterly inadequate.” Speaking with AAP (via 9News), she said the laws “encourage a cosy relationship between political parties and vested interests.” She added, “It seems Prime Minister Turnbull has used a loophole in the donations laws to avoid scrutiny for another 12 months.”
As only the donations made in excess of $13,000 need to be declared, gifts received by the parties do not have to be revealed. Turnbull emphasised his donations to the Liberal Party “have been regular and generous” and that they have “always been disclosed in accordance with the law.” He added he would ask others to do the same.
The largest contributor to the Liberal party was mining magnate Paul Marks. He has donated $1.4 million. Meanwhile, the private company of the Pratt family contributed $790,000. Former politicians Ian Macfarlane gave $69,000 and Craig Emerson donated $1,500 to their respective parties.
Chau Chak Wing, an Australian Chinese billionaire, gave $530,000 to the Liberal party and $150,000 to Labor. The donations were made through Wing’s investment company based in Hong Kong.
Labor Party’s largest contribution came from the Village Roadshow, which contributed $257,000. However, the media company donated $325,000 to the Liberals.
Graeme Wood, founder of the travel website Wotif, gave $630,000 to the Greens and $6,000 to the Queensland branch of the ALP. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson gave $155,000 to her party in the form of a loan and a donation of $35,000.
