FED: Govt targets directors, set to relax donation laws

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2006
FED: Govt targets directors, set to relax donation laws

SYDNEY, Feb 1 AAP - The federal government is reported to have targeted 1,000 leading
company directors in a donations drive, indicating it will relax donor identity disclosure
laws.

The business leaders have been asked to help the Liberals usher in their economic changes,
which they say will boost corporate profits, promising, in return, to open an "active
dialogue".

The government has also indicated it will amend the Electoral Act to require companies
to disclose donations only of $100,000 or more, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Presently corporations must disclose donations of $1,500 or more, and individuals $100 or more.

The government also plans to increase tax deductions for political donations from
individuals from $100 to $1,500 a year.

The drive for donors and loosening of the laws comes as the Australian Electoral Commission
releases the list of donors ot political parties for 2005/06.

The Labor party has indicated it will oppose the changes because it believes they would
lead to secret and questionable donations.

AAP ajc/it

KEYWORD: DONATIONS

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