Cash for campaigns

Alex de Vos
Two Surf Coast councillors received thousands of dollars in election campaign donations from developers and political organisations.
Anglesea’s Jim Tutt and Airey’s Inlet’s Simon Northeast revealed the cash contributions on a register of donations to candidates’ campaigns for the November election.
An Independent inspection of the register found that no other candidates listed donations.
Cr Tutt and unsuccessful running mate Garry Kerr listed $1500 each from Williamstown’s Reward Advantage Developers and $1250 each from Anglesea’s G & G Holdings.
Cr Jim Tutt said the donations were not linked to any development projects or potential proposals.
“One of the developers has a holiday house in Anglesea and he was interested in trying to support some local candidates,” Cr Tutt said.
“It was purely about encouraging some local candidates.”
Cr Northeast received $2300 from national, regional and Geelong groups of the Greens.
Cr Northeast refused to say whether the donations would represent a conflict of interest when he voted on issues with significant environmental aspects, such as the shire’s plan for housing development in the Spring Creek area.
He directed the Independent’s enquiries to Surf Coast Shire’s communications department.
A statement from the department quoted Cr Northeast saying he “did not expect” the donations to create conflicts of interest when he voted on a “wide range” of issues.
“I acknowledged publicly that I stood as an endorsed Greens candidate at the recent council elections. Along with all other councillors, I have received extensive briefing on the conflict of interest requirements of the Local Government Act.
“I will deal with each matter that comes before the council on a case-by-case basis and will declare any conflict that may arise, as required by the legislation.”
Under the Local Government Act, new councillors must declare all election donations over $200.
Geelong councillor David Saunderson was fined and convicted after failing to declare donations to his 2004 campaign.