Andrew Leigh

MORRISON’S BRANCH SOLICITS FUNDS FROM CHILDREN’S CHARITIES

Scott Morrison’s NSW branch of the Liberal Party has reportedly been caught out taking donations from children’s charities.

In the latest example of the Coalition’s culture of dodgy deals, the Liberal party have been hosting events to harvest campaign funds from money that was donated to charities for the support of vulnerable children and the disabled.

This is not the first time the branch has gone down this path in pursuit of campaigning funds. In 2017, the NSW Liberals courted RSL Lifecare for thousands of dollars of support, through attendance at events involving Gladys Berejiklian and her colleagues.

RSL Lifecare’s Chief Executive eventually conceded "I recognise that it was a political donation." The NSW Liberal branch are either being careless with their charity friends, or are happy to risk damaging charities’ reputations when campaign funds are needed.

Unless Scott Morrison condones this ongoing practice, he should condemn the branch’s activities and demand change.

Charities are increasingly under pressure for resources with the government turning a deaf ear to the sectors calls for better support. Involving favoured groups in fundraising events undermines the whole sector and sends a demoralising message to charities who keep their public advocacy on the right side of public expectation.

ENDS

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.