Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Ward
Moot point. Either side has done nothing.
In 2017-18, fossil fuel companies donated $1,277,933 to the ALP, Liberal and National parties. This was up 32% from $968,343 in 2016-17 ($1.03 million in 2015-16). Yet given Australia’s political party's penchant for "paper bags" stuffed with cash and pathetic political donation disclosure rules, the true figure could be an order of magnitude higher.
I wondered: did these donations have an effect? If you consider: tax-based subsidies, direct contributions, concessional loans from the public purse to fossil fuel producers and in pathetic environmental laws, the answer was a resounding yes!
Schmoozing of the Australia political class, according to Origin Energy's CEO Gordon Cairns, at their political functions is "money well spent".
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Well, I agree that their money does influence policy.
I also agree that the money goes to both sides of political spectrum.
But!
Context is everything.
Which side gets 80% of the donations from the mining, energy (and banking) sectors?
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/fede...05-1372gf.html