The South Australian Government has vowed to push on with its plans to abolish all donations to political parties in the wake of a controversial gift from the CFMEU. 

The SA Labor Party will be returning a $125,000 donation from the construction union after several vehicles belonging to staff from Master Builders Association were allegedly vandalised with CFMEU stickers. 

“If I get my way, we will deliver what will be one of the most progressive step changes in the operation of parliamentary democracy that we’ve seen in a generation,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said. 

“My view is political donations don’t enhance the democratic process. So, let’s remove them from the equation altogether.” 

The $125,000 donation was provided by the Victorian branch of the union, run by controversial figure John Setka, before the March state election. 

After Mr Setka’s 2019 conviction for harassing his wife, the SA Labor Party was urged by the public to return the money or donate it to a domestic violence charity. 

While the Premier initially resisted, he changed his view after hearing about the vandalising of vehicles from the Master Builders Association.  

However, CFMEU SA Secretary Andrew Sutherland said no allegations of vandalism had been put directly to the union. 

He then called on the Premier to provide any proof that union officials or employees were involved. 

“If the premier has evidence that would assist the CFMEU in investigating the matter, we ask that he provide it to us without further delay,” Mr Sutherland said in a statement. 

“The CFMEU does not, and has not, authorised, encouraged, or sanctioned any acts of vandalism.” 

Mr Sutherland said the donation to Labor was made by the Victorian-Tasmanian branch on behalf of its 28,000 members, and in cooperation with the SA division’s 2000 members. 

He said it was not made personally by any official and was no different to donations made by any other union. 

In relation to banning donations altogether, Attorney-General Kyam Maher said work had begun on legislation to implement the change, including resolving constitutional issues. 

“It is something as a Labor government we feel very strongly about,” he said. 

“Election campaigns are a contest of ideas, not a contest of money.” 

With AAP

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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