This NSW election New Matilda story by Nicole Gooch and I was about a Hunter Valley lobby group Newcastle Alliance which declared itself as a ‘third party organisation’ and ran print and radio ads urging voters not to vote Labor. The Non- Labor candidates included Mayor John Tait and Liberal Party candidate, Tim Owen, previously the deputy commander of Australian forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
NSW political donation reforms prevent interests associated with property development or the liquor industry from making donations to political parties. But a loophole allowing third party organisations to spend up to $525,000 supporting political policies means property developers and hotel interests can still donate to particular candidates.