Senate debates

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Questions without Notice

Donations to Political Parties

2:56 pm

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. I refer to the Prime Minister's statement in February of this year where he said:

In the course of this current financial year, which is why it hasn't been disclosed on the AEC, I contributed $1.75 million. That was the contribution I made.

Has the Prime Minister now declared what is said to be the single biggest individual donation in Australian history?

Photo of George BrandisGeorge Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | | Hansard source

It's not, as a matter of fact. I'm sure the Prime Minister's compliant with all his obligations.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, a supplementary question.

2:57 pm

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | | Hansard source

Section 305B(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act requires a person who makes a donation to a political party totalling more than the disclosure threshold during any financial year to furnish a return to the AEC within 20 weeks after the end of that financial year. Given this means the Prime Minister's disclosure was due last week, why has the Prime Minister breached the Electoral Act?

Photo of George BrandisGeorge Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | | Hansard source

I'm not aware that he has, Senator.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | | Hansard source

A final supplementary question, Senator Farrell.

Photo of Don FarrellDon Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) Share this | | Hansard source

Given the Prime Minister claims to support transparency in political donations, isn't it now apparent that, as well as failing to disclose his own donation, he has also broken his promise to deal with the donation reform in the spring session?

2:58 pm

Photo of George BrandisGeorge Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | | Hansard source

No, and the spring session has not concluded.