SHOALHAVEN Action Campaign has issued a challenge to all candidates, political parties and groups contesting the local government election to declare their donations prior to the Saturday poll.

“With the ongoing controversy over political donations, voters can see where the money is coming from and make a judgment before they vote,” said John Fergusson, SAC-endorsed mayoral and ward two candidate.

“After the widespread concern about developer donation revelations arising from the ICAC iquiry into Wollongong Council, the State Government made some changes to the Electoral Act, but did not go far enough. All donations over $1000 now have to be declared, which is welcomed, but the ridiculous thing is that they don’t have to be declared by law until January next year,” he said.

“There is nothing wrong with making and receiving electoral donations but these should be declared before the election so that voters can see who is donating to a political party or group of candidates and who may be seeking a particular electoral outcome favourable to them.”

Since being formed in May 2007 the SAC group has raised money from $10 memberships, t-shirt sales, raffles, film nights, dinners, concerts and donations from individuals and businesses.

“A total of $18,940 has been raised from these sources to enable SAC to assist its team of 12 independent candidates standing in all three wards and for mayor,” said Mr Fergusson.

“The donations of $1000 or more are $3500 from Robert Miller, the SAC-supported candidates heading the ticket in Ward 3, and a donation of $1,000 from a private individual, Lance Sewell.

“We challenge all candidates to follow our lead. The question should then be if not, why not? This is an ethical decision for all candidates and is consistent with SAC’s contract with the voters and community of accountability, transparency and integrity,” Mr Fergusson said.

“Others may talk it, but we mean it, and we will bring these principles to the conduct of Shoalhaven Council.”.

A full statement of electoral donations will be on the SAC website: www.shoalaction.org.au