AGL acknowledges corrosive influence of “big business” donations

MEDIA RELEASE - August 26, 2016
In a statement issued on Wednesday, AGL recognise “that the community perception is [political donations] may constitute undue influence from ‘big business’ on government.”

Greens anti-corruption spokesperson, Jamie Parker MP, said it was a significant announcement by AGL that the company will no longer make political donations.

“Corporate donations have a corrosive influence on democracy and undermine confidence in the political system. It is particularly the case in the mining and resource sector where decisions of government determine the success of failure of major resource projects,” said Mr Parker.

“The Greens have been calling on the government to ban corporate donations. This is particularly relevant for resource companies who rely on direct government approvals for their businesses.

“It is remarkable how far behind the NSW government is on this issue when a large industry player makes this decision ahead of a government that publicly expresses concern about corruption risk.

“AGL’s announcement puts additional pressure on the government to reform political donations to ensure that decisions are made on merit not money.

“I congratulate the campaign by community groups including the tenacious work of Groundswell Gloucester and Stop CSG Sydney that have pressured AGL with a weekly protest outside the company's offices in North Sydney for over 100 weeks.”

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For further comment from Jamie Parker: 0413581603 (Lesa de Leau)

AGL statement can be found here

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FERRIES AT ANNANDALE AND WEST BALMAIN

Imagine hopping on a ferry at Annandale or West Balmain and being in the heart of the city within minutes.

In 2020, we won the campaign for a Glebe ferry. Now, we have the opportunity to connect more of our area to the ferry network. New ferries at Annandale and West Balmain will provide a faster, smarter route into the city without adding to the traffic on our roads.

Both Labor and the Liberals want to build more polluting and destructive tollways across Sydney. But we have costed a comprehensive plan for a world-class public transport system that makes getting around our city fast and easy.

Dear Transport Minister,

New inner west ferry services would provide efficient, fast and environmentally sound travel to and from the area for workers, tourists, students, pensioners and the general public.

I therefore ask that the Government build on the success of the Blackwattle Bay ferry and establish a ferry service at Rozelle Bay for the Annandale area and reinstate the ferry at West Balmain.

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