Hobart City Council Alderman Jeff Briscoe said today: “During discussions in committee last week on my motion on local government election reform (donations and expenditure) it was revealed that current aldermen (including the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor) may be required under the LGA to state any donations from anyone (including developers) at any period of time received in the Council’s gift register.
Alderman Briscoe said: “I have checked the HCC gift register (which is a public document) during the period for the last election, three years ago and no-one had declared any donations.
“If this interpretation is found to be correct it may put some aldermen (including the LM) in an interesting and possibly a worrying position.”
“On the positive side it may provide an insight into who is funding whom in local government elections in October; especially those sitting aldermen.
On Monday night (11 August) Alderman Briscoe’s motion will be considered by the full council.
Alderman Briscoe’s motion is designed to lobby the State Government to bring local government disclosure of political donations and expenditure laws into line with national standards where there are strict disclosure laws including banning donations from developers. The motion also asks the Hobart City Council to set up a voluntary register of donations in the meantime for all candidates.
“I am calling today upon the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and aldermen to commit to declaring any donations received.”
“A number of alderman – including myself have had a long standing policy of not seeking donations or accepting donations which I think is the wisest course of action”.
See Alderman Briscoe’s motion and justification on the agenda for Monday’s meeting:
www.hobartcity.com.au under meetings
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