Australian political financial disclosure returns for 2006-7 just released

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) media release today.

 

"The 2006/07 annual financial disclosure returns from political parties, associated entities and donors have been released for public inspection.

The annual returns are on the Australian Electoral Commission's website at http://fadar.aec.gov.au/

The returns for the 2006/07 financial year include 49 political party returns, 218 associated entity returns and 194 donor returns. 

For the first time, people who engage in political expenditure are required to lodge a return.  Fifty-one political expenditure returns have been lodged for 2006/07.

Total receipts disclosed by political parties in the 2006/07 financial year were $127,218,316.76 compared to $74,556,334.55 for the 2005/06 annual returns.

For associated entities, the total declared receipts increased from $113,397,256.91 in 2005/06 to $637,938,063.70 in 2006/07 – largely as a result of the increase in the number of associated entities.

At this time last year, the AEC had received 80 political party returns, 89 associated entity returns and 317 donor returns. 
The increase in associated entity returns since last year can be attributed to the broadening of the definition of associated entity to include trade unions affiliated with the Australian Labor Party. 

The decrease in donor returns is a result of the new increased disclosure threshold (more than $10,300 for 2006/07) applying for the full financial year.  During the 2004/05 financial year, the last to use the old threshold, there were 1,286 donor returns. In 2005/06, when the new threshold applied for half the year, the number declined to 317 donor returns.

Attached is a fact sheet showing the basic disclosure requirements."

 

For those who love following the money trail, all the usual suspects plus more can be found using the search button at:

http://fadar.aec.gov.au/

Sen. Ted Kennedy on the campaign trail for Obama and asking for money

The emails received from Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign team have been a fascinating glimpse into the American political process as it is practised.

One of the marked differences from the Australian system is the constant drive for political donations from ordinary citizens.

Now Senator Ted Kennedy has said "I'm for Obama" and went on to (rather mistakenly) ask me for money yesterday.

What puzzles me [sly smile]. Where are Hillary's emails? Does Senator Clinton have all the campaign funding she needs? And why have no Republicans placed me on their mailing lists?

 

The email:

Dear [edited],   When I endorsed Barack Obama on Monday, I was also endorsing a candidate with the power to transform America.   As President Kennedy said in 1960, "It is time for a new generation of leadership."   This campaign is about a new generation of leadership today. A generation ready to be part of something bigger than themselves. A generation ready to change the country, and a generation ready to change the world.   I'm doing everything I can to elect Barack Obama. With less than a week before my state and 21 others make their voices heard, there is no time to lose.   Please join me by making a $50 donation now:   https://donate.barackobama.com/newgeneration   Like my son Patrick and my niece Caroline, I have found a new generation of leadership for America in Barack Obama -- and I hope you have too!   Sincerely,   Senator Edward M. Kennedy

It's time to speak up in Professor Garnaut's review of climate change issues and carbon trading

The government-sponsored Garnaut Review has committed to undertaking an extensive consultation process to encourage open and informed discussion on key climate change issues.

 

With less than an estimated one quarter of all Australian businesses currently attempting any form of climate change action, it seems that ordinary Australians might have to ginger the debate by making submissions to the Garnaut Review.

 

A strong demand by actual or future customers, for industry wide mid-term climate change targets, is one way to jerk the business community out of its present torpor.

 

Remember, approximately 50% of all Australians live within 7km of our coastline which is expected to take the early brunt of extreme climate change events.

Such extreme events won't just affect the value of houses but, in some cases, the actual value of the land on which they stand.

Climate Change Review Discussion Paper:

http://www.garnautreview.org.au/CA25734E0016A131/WebObj/FinancialServicesforManagingRisk-ClimateChangeandCarbonTradingIssuesPaper/$File/Financial%20Services%20for%20Managing%20Risk%20-%20Climate%20Change%20and%20Carbon%20Trading%20Issues%20Paper.pdf

 

Information on making submissions to the Review:

http://www.garnautreview.org.au/CA25734E0016A131/pages/submissions-financial-services

Kevin Rudd sprays for propaganda roaches and Brendan Nelson bombs

Rudders is a bit of a wonder. The election promises of Kevin 07 are being ticked off at a gratifying rate.

Now it's the turn of the former Howard Government propaganda juggernaut.

The Ministerial Committee for Government Communications is to be abolished and the Government Communications Unit is gone.

Government advertising is to be slashed. Advertising policy and practice are being redesigned -

hopefully with reference to the many calls for a more transparent disclosure of marketing costs.

I look forward to a life where government advertising doesn't constantly assault my senses with the bl**dy obvious or insult my intelligence with blatant lies.

Or am I living in a fool's paradise?

 

This week Brendan Nelson wants a preview of the Commonwealth Government's formal apology to indigenous Australians, to make sure that the government is not apologising for the wrong things. He worries that other matters are more important.

Is this Liberal Party buffoon serious? Will someone please put this bloke out of his misery by challenging his leadership.