The Australian Hotels Association was one of the most generous federal political donors at a time when both parties were pushing for an end to lockout laws in NSW.
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Australian Electoral Commission disclosures show the AHA was federal Labor's largest benefactor in 2019-20. Its NSW office gave $185,677 to Labor and its national office donated $67,192 for a total of $252,869. No other organisation or individual gave Labor more than $200,000.
The two AHA offices donated a total of $59,519 to the Liberals and $52,552 to the Nationals.
The AHA's $367,930 in donations made it the third most prolific donor in 2019-20, behind Clive Palmer's Mineralogy company, which gave $5.9 million to his United Australia Party, and Pratt Holdings ($1.55 million).
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AHA representatives met with NSW Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello when he came to Newcastle last year to talk to the hotel industry, small bars, the council and police about late-night trading rules.
The minister's visit led to a trial of weaker restrictions in inner-city small bars and restaurants to help stimulate an industry affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
A NSW joint parliamentary committee in 2019 recommended an end to Sydney's lockouts and a review of Newcastle's licensing conditions if the Sydney changes were successful.
Newcastle Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp, Labor night-time economy spokesman John Graham and City of Newcastle chief Jeremy Bath have advocated in recent weeks for a review to start sooner rather than later.
NSW Parliament banned political donations from liquor or gambling industry business entities in 2010 and has set a limit of $6600 on donations, but federal politics is not bound by the same rules.
The Liberal and Labor parties denied the AHA had bought political influence.
A NSW Liberal Party spokesperson said donations were disclosed to the Australian and NSW electoral commissions in line with relevant electoral funding and disclosure laws.
"Consistent with our constitution and code of practice, we do not accept donations with any conditions attached. Furthermore, the party does not direct government on policy matters," the spokesperson said.
Australian Medical Association NSW vice-president Dr Danielle McMullen said on Tuesday that the AMA's position on political donations was that "conflicts of interest should be made obvious".
"Significant donations can affect policy decisions and shouldn't," she said.
Surgeon Dr John Crozier, the co-chair of the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol, said the AHA was buying "top-table" political access.
"It is desirable that effective policies on alcohol be best shaped without the coercive influence of the alcohol industry," he said.
Newcastle police commander Wayne Humphrey, who on Tuesday slammed calls for a lockout review, said he would not comment on AHA donations.
"They're lobbyists. They're lobbying for their position. I guess I'm lobbying for mine," he said.
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Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
