The ‘Oscars for political nerds’ or a threat to democracy? Grab a ticket, it’s Canberra’s budget fundraiser season
Summary
Political parties in Canberra are holding expensive fundraising dinners and events ahead of the federal budget week. Tickets to these events cost thousands of dollars and offer supporters a chance to meet senior politicians. Some critics say these events give wealthy donors too much influence over politics.Key Facts
- Labor’s budget night dinner costs $5,500 per ticket, up from $5,000 last year.
- Labor also offers a casual networking event for $2,000 per ticket.
- Top-tier memberships to Labor’s fundraising group cost over $100,000 and offer ticket discounts.
- The Liberal-National coalition’s budget-in-reply dinner tickets cost $3,300 each.
- Additional Liberal events include a dinner with tickets ranging from $1,000 to $12,000.
- Some former and current politicians find these fundraisers boring and say they raise limited money.
- Independent Senator David Pocock criticizes such events as “cash-for-access” and bad for democracy.
- New fundraising rules starting next year will require greater transparency for donations over $5,000.
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