Paul,

So you are prepared to vouch that not one cent of union money found its way to the NSW Greens? If you claim that it is only the federal, WA, SA, and Vic greens that are corrupt, are you sure that not one cent found its way to NSW, or that the unions never ran any advertising etc for NSW greens?

What is clear is that the Greens senators will vote whatever way the unions want.

Dear SM,

Will the Liberal Party vote against the vested interests
that support it and give it money?
Pot/kettle/black.

Foxy,

I guess that the Liberals will continue to provide policies that are friendly to business, the taxpayer and the economy in general. The liberals are beholden to no one.

As a completely unbiased observer of this thread, I would say that most contributors are - to use Foxy's most appropriate words - pot/kettle/black.

A pox on both of your houses.

Joe

Dear SM,

If the Liberals are beholden to no one - how come
they all speak as one on all issues?
They all toe the party line.

Then we have the various interest
groups (such as mining companies - to name just one
vested interest) who donate money to election campaigns
and certain candidates. They certainly expect a
great deal in return.
Even you have to admit that our party system encourages
people to try to influence the way individual legislators
vote on specific issues.

And toeing the Party line is the way our party system
functions.

We all know that interest groups may be large or small,
temporary or permanent, secretive, or open, but they all
try to gain access to, and sway, those who have power.

Foxy,

So do the greens and Labor politicians generally follow the party line, partially because they share common values and partially because as a party you make collective decisions and stick to them.

There is also a difference between interest groups putting their viewpoints in a persuasive manner, and the iron grip that the unions have over Labor candidate selection and policies.

Given that the unions are now probably the biggest funder of the Greens, it looks as though the Greens are falling under their sway.