Ben Quin
This is a matter that deserves serious public debate. We must not allow the facts of Party fundraising to become State secrets. In the interests of such debate, Tas Times should publish an article from The Australian written by National Affairs Editor, Mike Steketee ( Ringside at a price Australian Jan 10, ), which discussed in greater detail the increasingly slippery process of paying for political access.
Dear Editor,

Michael Stedman’s article in the Mercury, (Lib’s silent on Turnbull guests, 19 Jan) highlights the double standards of the Tasmanian Liberal Party.

During his tenure as Leader of the State Opposition, Rene Hidding frequently decried what he called the “special deals for special mates” culture of the State Labor Party. Since Will Hodgman has been Liberal leader he has continued with the same tune and has called for greater transparency.

These calls by Hidding and Hodgman always were hollow. The private fundraising dinner held by Turnbull has been a favoured method of the Libs for some time. At times, the niggling problems of public perceptions in relation to the ethics of these functions come distant second to the lure of the lucre. For example, during the height of the pulp mill assessment debate, John Gay paid to be a guest at a similar private dinner with John Howard.

If, after the turmoil of the past two years, the Libs can’t demonstrate that they appreciate the public interest aspects of party fundraising of this nature and disclose the names of those who attended the Turnbull dinner, they should just give the game up. Tasmanians have had a belly-full of these back-room machinations.

This is a matter that deserves serious public debate. We must not allow the facts of Party fundraising to become State secrets. In the interests of such debate, Tas Times should publish an article from The Australian written by National Affairs Editor, Mike Steketee ( Ringside at a price Australian Jan 10, ), which discussed in greater detail the increasingly slippery process of paying for political access.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Quin

Triabunna