Response from Tony Abbott - was the Political Parties for Democracy program cancelled or not?

Thursday, 10 March 2016

Here is the response from Tony Abbott's office on his behalf- in lock step with the advice from Mathias Corman's office last week.

In 2009 the Labor Government transferred the Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program from the Department of Finance to AusAid. The program had been administered by the Department of Finance between 2005 and 2009.

The Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program was transferred back from AusAid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Department of Finance in 2014.

As part of the transfer AusAid funding agreements were replaced by agreements with the Department of Finance.

The deed continues to provide funding of $1,000,000 per year for the Liberal Party of Australia and for the Australian Labor Party and $200,000 annually for the Australian Greens, over the three year period of the deed.

In February 2014 there was no word of a transfer.

I posted 3 stories, the first two about the program, the 3rd was the statement from Julie Bishop's office that the program was being cancelled.

I remember talking with Julie Bishop's office about this program on or about 5 February 2014. I was told it had been cancelled. Terminated. Finished.

Here is an email confirming the conversation with Julie Bishop's staff.

XXX@dfat.gov.au via michaelsmithnews.com

2/5/14

to mail

Hi Michael

Release as discussed…

I’ll add you to our distribution list!

cheersXXXX
| Senior Media Adviser | Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs | Tel: +61 2 6277 7500

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The Hon Julie Bishop MP

FIVE BILLION DOLLAR AID BUDGET TO FOCUS ON THE REGION

I confirm today that the Australian Government’s annual aid budget for 2013/14 will be $5.042 billion, refocused on reducing poverty in the Indo-Pacific region and tied to rigorous benchmarks.

The Government is committed to investing aid in the sustainable development of our close neighbours. Our aim is to lift the living standards of the most vulnerable people in our region through aid for trade, better health and education outcomes, empowering women and girls and leveraging private sector involvement.

Under the Abbott Government aid spending will be tied to measurable outcomes. Rigorous benchmarks will be introduced to ensure integrity in the Australian aid program and to give Australian taxpayers greater confidence in its effectiveness.

Under the previous Labor government, the rapid growth in Australia’s aid budget was neither targeted nor sustainable. With a $47 billion budget deficit this year and gross government debt projected to rise to $667 billion, we must ensure Australia’s aid program has a funding base that is responsible and affordable. This year’s aid expenditure will be $107 million less than last year. From 2014/15 the $5 billion aid budget will grow each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

The Government is providing stability and future certainty to partner governments, international organisations and non‑government organisations.

The Government has commenced a consultation process, working with key stakeholders, NGOs and partner governments, to develop rigorous benchmarks and to promote an accountable performance culture within the aid program.

I will ensure the Australian aid budget is managed effectively and directed to organisations delivering on-the-ground support to those most in need.

For further information visit www.dfat.gov.au

Foreign Minister’s Office media contact: Catherine McDonald ph. 0478 488 874

I recall speaking with Greg Sheridan about the cancellation at the time and followed up with this note.

Greg it was lovely to chat earlier - so nice to hear a voice of reason.

Story one

http://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2014/02/the-australian-electoral-commission-details-of-donations-to-australias-political-parties-201213.html

Story two

http://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2014/02/australian-political-parties-for-democracy-program-ripe-for-rorting.html

Response from Julie Bishop

http://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2014/02/foreign-minister-julie-bishops-staff-contacted-me-late-today-the-ausaid-political-party-donation-sch.html

ENDS

And a number of our readers contacted Julie Bishop's office and other parliamentarians about the program and wrote to thank the government for the cancellation. I have the emails.

We are being misled over this issue. The only logical conclusion to draw from the facts and documents available is that the program was cancelled and then revived about 7 months later after pressure from the 3 political parties and their administrative wings.

That cancellation and restart would have caused all sorts of angst if we'd known. So the government made no announcement, it simply restarted the program quietly and is now presenting that shutdown/recommencement as a transfer.

Shysters.

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