Councillor Chris Harris

Chris Harris has called on Clover Moore to return all the political donations she has received from developers.

The Australian newspaper today substantiated a previous story claiming that Ms Moore’s Lord Mayoral election campaign was largely funded by developers.

Ms Moore has been making political capital from a recent Lower House Bill proposing a ban on developer donations to political parties, triggering accusations of hypocrisy.

“In the light of this report, the only honourable course now open to Ms Moore is to identify and return all developer donations she has received either directly or indirectly,” said Cr Harris.

“Accepting large donations from developers is the principal failing of the major parties in NSW, and the state is not going to move ahead until this unethical era of politics is relegated to history.

“If we are to restore the public’s faith in our political system, politicians of all political parties and independents must not only have integrity but must also be seen to have it.

“We are not claiming that Clover Moore has been influenced by these donations. But given that several of her decisions made as Lord Mayor can be seen as favouring developers - for instance voting with the government to massively increase parking spaces and floorspace for the CUB site - I am calling on Ms Moore to clear the decks by returning ALL the developer money she has benefited from.

“Of course banning developer donations has been Greens policy - and more importantly, practice - for many years.”