Labor should return $90k in federal donations from Santos to restore credibility on CSG

Gloucester with sign

MEDIA RELEASE - 17 March 2015

The Greens NSW mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham today called on Luke Foley and the NSW Labor party to pressure their federal colleagues to return over $90,000 in donations they have received from coal seam gas company Santos over the past 2 years if they wanted to restore any credibility. This follows NSW Labor’s decision today to return thousands of dollars in donations from Santos to the state party this year after pressure from the Greens.

“If Luke Foley is serious about restoring Labor’s tarnished reputation after they accepted thousands of dollars from coal seam gas company Santos to fund their state election campaign, then he should call on the Federal Labor party to return the $90,000 in donations they have received from Santos over the past 2 years” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“I am pleased that following the outcry from the Greens over their acceptance of toxic CSG cash, they have today decided to hand the money back.

“It is disappointing, however, that it took a public outcry to convince Labor to return the money, rather than Labor rejecting the donation in the first place.

“In the recent Leader’s debate we saw Labor leader Luke Foley refuse to rule out coal seam gas development under a Labor government, saying ‘There is a role for gas in the state’s energy future’.

“Given the toxic and corrupting influence that corporate donations have been seen to have on our democracy in recent years, the public have every right to ask whether this and the federal donations from Santos have influenced Labor’s weak position on coal seam gas.

“There is a strong public perception that there is a ‘decisions for donations’ culture in NSW and that is why the Greens are calling on all parties to back our policy for a ban on donations from mining and coal seam gas companies,” Mr Buckingham said.

The Greens NSW policy is not to accept any corporate donations and to publically disclose all donations worth more than $200.

Contact: Jack Gough - 9230 2202 or 0427 713 101

2 comments

  • Dont return the money to Santos , donate it to help fund hospitals or somthing else that is needed in the comunity. Dont give it back that is only naking their profits larger.

    Like

  • Dont return the money to Santos , donate it to help fund hospitals or somthing else that is needed in the comunity. Dont give it back that is only making their profits larger.

    Like

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