Voters deserve to know what private donors to political parties expect, and get, for their money. When those donors have easy access to the closest confidante of the prime minister, and they appear to get what they want, voters are owed a thorough explanation. Without one, they are entitled to an independent inquiry. Publicly released emails to and from now Prime Minister Tony Abbotts chief of staff, Peta Credlin, when Abbott was leader of the Opposition, raise serious questions about influence buying, political donations laws and the lack of independent scrutiny of federal officials. People in the federal party must have known too. If they did not, then they were perhaps negligent or turning a blind eye to illegal activity..... The emails raise questions beyond NSW. Ms Credlins husband, Brian Loughnane, is the federal director of the Liberal Party. Abbott loyalist Senator Arthur Sinodinos was honorary treasurer of the NSW branch from 2009 to 2011 and NSW Liberals president before he entered the Upper House in October 2011. Mr Nicolaou has told ICAC that Senator Sinodinos, former state director Mark Neeham and senior Liberal figures Michael Photios, Simon McInnes and Brickworks director Robert Webster were present when he made the suggestion about channelling funds through the FEF. Mr Webster denies being involved in the $125,000 donation, while Senator Sinodinos will make a second appearance at ICAC on Friday. Many of those in the federal Liberal organisation hold or have held executive positions in the NSW division. Mr Nicolaou was also head of the Millennium Foundation, a fundraising body that allegedly received FEF funds then channelled them into the state party. Mr Nicolaou has also been questioned about his lobbying for a company linked to disgraced former Labor minister Eddie Obeid. ICAC has also been given documents that show Abbott mentor and Liberal Speaker of the House, Bronwyn Bishop, was a director of the Dame Pattie Menzies Foundation Trust which received $11,000 from FEF on December 9, 2010, which it then directed to the NSW branch of the party for use in the 2011 state election...... Read more: smh.au/comment/smh-editorial/abbott-must-act-on-credlin-emails-20140908-10ds68.html#ixzz3Ctiyxe
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 08:03:29 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015