Political tensions are rising as allegations emerge regarding a September 2014 fundraiser for Chris Minns, the current Premier of New South Wales (NSW). Reports indicate that the donations collected during the event may have been significantly under-reported. Independent MP Mark Latham claims that the NSW Electoral Commission has reopened its investigation into the matter, which could have serious implications for Minns and his political career.
On March 15, 2024, Minns firmly denied any wrongdoing linked to the fundraiser, stating that the NSW Electoral Commission had conducted a thorough investigation five years ago. He emphasized that he had fully complied with previous inquiries relating to fundraising activities from his campaign, specifically those in 2015 that were scrutinized during the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Operation Aero investigation.
The controversy surrounding Minns’ campaign primarily focuses on a fundraising event held at the Sunny Seafood restaurant in Hurstville, which took place on September 12, 2014. While the event was indirectly referenced in connection with donations managed by the Chinese Friends of Labor, it was not included in the ICAC’s final report.
In November 2023, David Latham, a former Labor organiser, provided private evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, asserting that Minns and his team failed to maintain records of significant donations raised at the dinner. Minns swiftly rejected these claims, insisting that all information related to the event was reported accurately.
As the political fallout continues, Abigail Boyd, a member of the upper house representing the Greens, disclosed that the public accountability and works committee had referred the matter to the NSW Electoral Commission, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the ICAC. This has prompted opponents of Minns to question the integrity of his previous assertions that the matter had been resolved.
Opponents cite that the ICAC’s investigation was limited to events occurring from January 2015 onwards, leaving the 2014 fundraiser outside its scope. Nevertheless, the ICAC has communicated to the committee that it will not pursue the Sunny Seafood fundraiser, pointing out that it had already completed investigations related to similar allegations as part of Operation Aero.
On December 8, 2023, Rachel McCallum, the NSW Electoral Commissioner, requested that the upper house refrain from pursuing documents related to ongoing investigations, citing potential jeopardy to the commission’s functions. In a subsequent letter, Minns’ chief of staff, James Cullen, echoed this sentiment, explaining that sharing certain documents could compromise compliance with NSW electoral laws.
Latham, who previously led the federal Labor Party and currently serves as a member of the upper house for One Nation, dismissed claims that the investigation was concluded. He pointed to correspondence from the NSW Electoral Commission as evidence of an ongoing inquiry, asserting that “his cover-up is not sustainable.”
In 2014, Minns reported gross donations of $5,760 from the event, which included one reportable donation of $800 and nine smaller contributions totaling $4,960. However, previous budgets for similar fundraisers submitted to the ICAC indicated that attendees were typically charged at least $80 per ticket, suggesting a maximum attendance of only 72 people, a stark contrast to reports from the Australian China Daily that nearly 200 supporters attended.
When questioned about the discrepancy between the reported donations and the attendance, Minns stated, “I don’t know how the fundraiser had only made $5,760,” and acknowledged the attendance figure but attributed his uncertainty to the passage of time. “I can’t remember the fundraiser; it was 11 years ago. But it might have been the case that people bought a table, that several people bought a table, a table each.”
Minns also denied claims made by David Latham that he solicited advice on how to receive money from unrecorded donors for his campaign. “Of course not, absolutely not. I completely and emphatically deny it,” he stated, aiming to clarify the nature of his interactions regarding fundraising.
As the investigation continues, all eyes will remain on the NSW Electoral Commission and the political landscape in New South Wales, as these allegations could have lasting implications on Minns’ political future and the credibility of his campaign financing practices. The commission has yet to comment further on the situation.
