Coalition removes mining tax - mining industry increase donation to Coalition by 350%

Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said: 

"The Australian Electoral Commission 2013/2014 data shows that donations from mining companies to the federal Coalition increased by 350 per cent from the previous year.

"In 2013/2014 donations to the federal Coalition totalled $1 126 300. In 2012/2013 and 2011/2012 donations were approximately $311 600 and $191 000 respectively.

"When Prime Minister Tony Abbott colluded with mining magnate Clive Palmer to scrap the mining tax he should have declared that the federal Coalition was given $1.1 million from the mining industry in just one year.

"The Prime Minister's scrapping of the Carbon Tax provided another windfall to the mining industry which is also the biggest user of the $5 billion a year fuel tax credit scheme subsidy. 

"Mining companies funding political parties is bad for democracy. Labor and the Coalition should support the Greens' Donations Reform Bill which would ban donations from the mining industry, if they want to restore the confidence of the Australian public in the political process.

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