Media release – Sue Hickey MP, 1 April 2021
GUTWEIN’S DELIBERATE FAIL ON ELECTORAL DONATION
Independent MP for Clark Sue Hickey says Premier Peter Gutwein has deliberately failed to introduce electoral spending laws because he knows it will disadvantage the Liberal Party.
Ms Hickey said his commitment, and that of the Labor Party, to publicise donations above $5000 was a sham and could be easily subverted.
She said the Premier’s transparency claim was a deception and a sad attempt to con the Tasmanian electorate.
“For example, a big donor seeking to give the Liberals say $50,000, could simply make ten donations of $4999 and one of $10, all under different entities and the result is still the same, anonymity and undue influence by vested interests.
“The last election was an embarrassment. Undeclared donations to the Liberal Party and advertising by large, vested interests constituted a threat to Tasmanian democracy and Mr Gutwein has done nothing.
“This is because he knows it is to the Liberal Party’s advantage. They get the big money and who knows what the pay-off is or what deals are being done.
“I stress that I didn’t receive a cent of this money and as a consequence, wasn’t beholden to the vested interests.”
Ms Hickey said the secrecy surrounding poker machine reform was similarly worrying.
“Again, why hasn’t the Premier acted and what deals has he done? He simply won’t say.
What is his reason for keeping secrets about tax deals rumoured to be worth millions of dollars to others?
“Donors are able to do this because Peter Gutwein has deliberately delayed both the election spending law reform and poker machine legislation and he has the temerity to say it’s now not an issue. But it is, particularly for those families impacted by problem gambling.
“He is treating Tasmanians and our democracy with contempt and that is to be condemned.
“Both these reforms could have been done, however Mr Gutwein rushed off to call an unnecessary election in a blatant attempt to maintain his power.”
Ms Hickey said she would always put people before politics.
She said she was standing for re-election as an independent so that she could continue to place the interests of the people of Clark and Tasmania at the forefront.
“I will not be beholden to the big party donors, the vested interests and lobbyists, the party machines or the faceless factions. If elected, I will represent and be answerable only to the people of Clark and that is what we deserve in our politicians.”
