In the final days of June last year, Hospitality Tasmania contributed $217,000 to the Liberal Party, just before stricter donation disclosure rules came into effect. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) returns, released on Tuesday, reveal that these donations were made between June 27 and 30. New legislation requiring donations over $1,000 to be disclosed within seven days was implemented on July 1.
The timing of these donations coincided with the state election, which was called on June 11 and held on July 19. During the 2024-25 financial year, the AEC figures show that the Tasmanian Liberals received a total of $5.1 million. In comparison, Tasmanian Labor collected $2.8 million, while the Tasmanian Greens garnered $981,000. Hospitality Tasmania also donated $20,000 to Labor before the election.
Motivations Behind the Donations
The industry group has stated that its donations were driven by policy positions regarding the now-approved Hobart stadium, rather than party allegiance. “Our donations are driven by policy, not politics,” said Ben Carpenter, president of Hospitality Tasmania. “We have a responsibility to our 700-plus members and everyone employed in hospitality to support candidates and parties who support our industry.”
Carpenter emphasized that the scale of donations reflected the alignment of Liberal candidates with significant economic opportunities in Tasmania, such as the Macquarie Point stadium and the Tasmanian AFL team. “Both of these projects will deliver enormous benefits for hospitality, tourism, and jobs across the state,” he added.
Reactions and Accusations
Meanwhile, the Greens have accused the hospitality industry of timing their donations to avoid public scrutiny. Hobart MLC Cassy O’Connor criticized the lack of transparency, stating, “It stinks to high heaven. Tasmanians deserved to know the donations made to the Liberals during the election campaign and what favors were bought before they cast their vote.”
Greens MP Vica Bayley further linked the donations to influencing policy outcomes, arguing that Hospitality Tasmania was not merely acting out of charity. “Let’s be real. [Hospitality Tasmania] isn’t just giving these massive donations to the Liberals for the sake of charity,” he said. “They are doing so to make sure they get things their way – and so they have.”
Transparency and Industry Defense
Government minister Jo Palmer responded by highlighting the transparency of the donation process. “Organisations, associations, and individuals donate to political parties as they see fit, and the important thing here is that it is really transparent,” she said. “The people of Tasmania know who is donating to whom, and that’s a really important aspect of the case.”
Angelo Fraraccio, a board member of Hospitality Tasmania, defended the donations as a collective voice of the sector. “We were very clear before, during, and after the election that a stadium that could bring more events, business events, and sport to our state was a must, and we would stand up for our industry as it would be a boon for our members,” he stated.
Implications and Future Outlook
The controversy surrounding these donations highlights the ongoing debate about the influence of money in politics, particularly in the context of major infrastructure projects like the Hobart stadium. As Tasmania continues to navigate its economic future, the role of political donations and their impact on policy decisions will likely remain a contentious issue.
Looking ahead, stakeholders from various sectors will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and what they mean for the state’s economic landscape. The hospitality industry, in particular, will continue to advocate for projects that promise to bolster tourism and job creation, while political parties may face increased scrutiny over their funding sources and policy alignments.
