There will always be slush funds while politicians need to raise money to get elected. Sign the voterland petition on GoPetition against bribing politicians and join a Resident Roundtable to influence what they do.

What do we have here?

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/meet-bill-shorten-for-3300-8211-labor-offers-business-leaders-exclusive-access-20140505-zr4us.html

Labor is offering business leaders exclusive access to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten before the federal budget, but it comes at a high price – $3300 for a boardroom lunch.

Time for the left whingers to eat crow!!

Shadow Sinister, thanks for your admission that *BOTH* political parties are corrupt in this way.

Now tell us, how are you trying to change "your" mob?

AS MANY WOULD KNOW IM IN MAGI*STRAIGHTS COURT 20..TOMORROW
i hope to MOVE the actual hearing in the queens court
this thread wil be but one of the reasons

[see smoking thread]
or catch twenty two ..or the snowden thread.

anyhow the headsup/this is what is going on all over the place
im going to prove it tomorrow.

no more secrets.
but also no winner...but no looser.
fair is fair/by proper wARRENT...[WAR RENT]

IM GOING IN UNCLE DENNIS.

Shadow Monster,

Your point?

I said earlier....

"I don't care who's doing it - it should be exposed and halted."

You said earlier...

"Access to financial decision makers is important to the large players in business to understand what decisions are being made that effect them and to give feed back...."

So I think "charging" for access to elected politicians is a corruption of our democratic process.

You seem to think it's just dandy.

I have no problem with our elected representatives meeting with business leaders, as they should meet with a whole range of interested parties on many issues. Discussion with business leaders, worker representatives, community, a whole range of stakeholders and even ordinary citizens. Such meetings are vital for politicians to assist them in gaining knowledge to make informed decision in the best interest of all.
What Hockey is doing is wrong, charging for access gives those who can pay an advantage over those who can't. There is also a strong suspicion these payments allowed one to "buy" favor with the Treasurer.
Next week Hockey is to fill out his budget form, it might be more appropriate if he was to fill out his resignation form instead.