The ‘Oscars for political nerds’ or a threat to democracy? Grab a ticket, it’s Canberra’s budget fundraiser season | Australian politics
They are dismissed as boring, nothing more than a “selfie” opportunity for economic geeks, and even labeled as a threat to democracy.
But as budget week approaches, the major parties are once again throwing out fundraising dinners and drinks for their most loyal followers and showering them with thousands of dollars.
The price of a seat at Labour’s budget night dinner with the prime minister, treasurer and senior ministers on Tuesday, May 12 has risen to $5,500 from $5,000 last year. According to Labor Party sources, the event is being held somewhere in the Canberra CBD.
The Federal Labor Business Forum (FLBF), a major fundraising arm for the party, will also host a more casual networking function for $2,000 per ticket. MPs and ministers are also expected to attend the event, which is likely to be held at the National Press Club.
A senior membership to FLBF costs more than $100,000 and gives holders about a 25% discount on their tickets. Companies including Westfarmers and Sportsbet reportedly held senior memberships.
Thursday will be the big day for opposition leader Angus Taylor and the Coalition coffers. Tickets to the Liberals and Nationals’ budget dinner cost $3,300.
The dinner’s promotion promises “a great opportunity to hear leaders directly and discuss the Coalition’s plan for the future.” The event will be held in the Hotel Realm ballroom, which can seat up to 500 people.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Bradfield federal branch is hosting a budget response viewing party and dinner at Manuka Oval. The event includes a viewing of the speech from the parliamentary gallery, followed by a three-course meal, as well as speeches by Taylor and shadow treasurer Tim Wilson. Ticket prices are $1,500 for non-members, $1,000 for members or $12,000 for a table of 10.
Taylor is also expected to attend a separate budget dinner hosted by the Cook Endeavor Forum and MP Simon Kennedy.
This “special evening” event will include comments from shadow ministers, MPs and some Coalition candidates, as well as Taylor and other senior Liberal figures. Tickets for the Cook event are the cheapest of the fundraisers at $3,500 for a table of ten.
Privately, current and former MPs said they were upset about being “outed” over the events.
A former MP said they found such fundraisers “terrible” and “boring”, being left to talk at length with “economy geeks”.
“You can’t raise that much money, ‘what are we doing?’ they say.
They guessed that politicians from across the political spectrum hated attending glitzy social galas.
“I cannot think of a member of parliament who does not hold this view,” they said. “It’s the dirty little secret of it all.”
Independent ACT senator David Pocock said “cash for access” type of events distorted public policy and were “bad for democracy”.
He wants more transparency about how lobbyists gain access to parliament and which politicians they try to influence.
“The federal budget should be about our priorities as a country, not an opportunity for corporate lobbyists to make money at the expense of ordinary Australians,” he said.
A spokesman for the Liberal party rejected Pocock’s criticism.
“Clearly, in David Pocock’s mind, there are good political donations and bad political donations,” they said. “Good donations are the millions he gets… Bad donations are the ones that go to everyone else.”
Starting next year, new political fundraising rules require all donations over $5,000, including tickets, to be declared with fewer delays. This may make things look a little different.
Yaron Finkelstein, Scott Morrison and Dominic Perrottet’s former chief political strategist, fondly remembers the “Oscars for political nerds” and downplays the impact factor.
“If you get any so-called access, it will take 30 seconds for Jim Chalmers to walk into one of the rooms where the fundraiser is being held, say a few sound bites that sound like a political message, and move on to the next event,” he said.
“A well-coordinated blitzkrieg across the building could lead the treasurer and prime minister to double-digit events if fundraisers are doing their job.
“More selfie than politics.”
