Donations over $30,000 from the same source must be declared to the Electoral Commission within 10 working days. National overstepped the mark in declaring a total donation of $86,005 from Gallagher Industries outside the limit. I can sympathise as I missed a connection once when I was Labour’s Secretary. These days the Electoral Commission doesn’t get involved – the penalty is a fine of up to $40,000 on summary conviction.
Other large donations to National since April 2011 include $56,600 from Oravida Limited, $50,000 from Citi Financial Group, $53,333.30 from Chris Parkin, Wellington property owner and former City Councillor, $60,000 from Antoine’s restaurant, and $35,000 from Team McMillan BMW. ACT received $110,000 from Allan Gibbs, $50,000 from Christopher and Banks Private Equity Ltd, $52,335 from John Boscawen, and $100,520 from Louis Crimp. Labour and National both received $50,000 from the Todd Corporation, and Labour $40,000 from the EPMU.
It will be interesting to see the return of donations in April, particularly now that they have to be reported in bands. Again I think the big money will favour National over Labour, especially with asset sales on the block.
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