Attorney-General Michael Atkinson must explain why his government department is listed on the latest Funding and Disclosure Return lodged by the ALP, Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today.
Every year, each political party is required to lodge with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) a disclosure return which lists sources of all funds given to the party.
The ALP’s SA Branch return released by the AEC yesterday lists the Attorney-General’s Department, 45 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000 as the source of funds totalling $31,952.48 (see attached extract).
“This disclosure is listed in the same section where Labor Members’ contributions to the ALP are listed,” Mr Lucas said today.
“A search of previous ALP returns does not appear to show any similar disclosure in past returns.
“If Mr Atkinson’s explanation relates to personal contributions he has given to the ALP he should explain why no other government departments are listed for other Ministers and why this is the first year his Department appears to have been listed.
“Whilst the accident-prone Mr Atkinson has got himself and the Rann Government in significant trouble on a range of issues, on this issue the Liberal Party, at this stage, is just seeking an explanation for a most unusual disclosure in the ALP return.”