Loading
This followed a pointed move by the Premier to outline the LNP links to Aspen Medical, the global healthcare provider recently announced as the winner of a tender-free contract for the Wellcamp quarantine hub, after the opposition questioned whether it’s lobbying of the government via Anacta had helped it win the work.
Ms Palaszczuk also pointed to the LNP’s referral of its own 2020 election campaign fundraising events, attended by then leader Deb Frecklington, to the ECQ.
In a statement, Anacta director David Nelson described Ms Simpson’s comments as “deranged ramblings”, said the firm had not made any representations on behalf of Aspen relating to the Wellcamp project and added that all donations were above-board and disclosed publicly.
“It is no secret that we support the Labor Party, so it is not surprising LNP MP’s like Fiona would try to attack us,” Mr Nelson said. Only two of the firm’s 36 current clients — which include Airbnb, Griffith University and Tabcorp — do not pay for the services.
A recent Brisbane Times analysis of lobbying and donation data found that in the two years since Anacta’s launch the firm has logged more interactions with officials on behalf of its clients statewide than any other entity since 2013, and donated almost $165,000 to Labor, which was the largest sum among the five most-prolific lobbyists.
Loading
After a major Crime and Corruption Commission probe into local governments in 2017, the Palaszczuk government extended a recommended ban on donations from developers to council candidates to the state political apparatus.
Under the backdated rules, considered a financial gerrymander by the LNP which unsuccessfully challenged them in the High Court, the party was made to return about $500,000 in donations from property developers.
The donation ban also extends to industry bodies where the majority of members are developers, and anyone donating on behalf of a prohibited donor. Anti-corruption body the Centre for Public Integrity has previously argued the laws, which are among some of the strictest in the country, should go further still.
An ECQ spokesperson said donors are required to disclose if they received any money to enable them to make a gift to a political party, which are also required to disclose the original source.
The Morning Edition newsletter is your guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
Major parties clash over lobbying, donations as LNP weighs watchdog referral
Source: Philippines Alive
