MP slams developer ban laws

Berghofer barred from donating

TREVOR Watts says millionaire philanthropist and property developer Clive Berghofer should not be barred from donating to a political party, highlighting his charity work as evidence.

The Toowoomba North MP cited Mr Berghofer in the Opposition’s case against controversial new donation bans introduced by the Palaszczuk Government.

Under the new laws, passed on Thursday in parliament, property developers would be banned from donating to political parties.

Speaking in parliament in support of amendments proposed by his counterpart David Janetzki to extend the bans to trade unions, Mr Watts said Mr Berghofer was among the victims of the laws.

“He has donated countless other millions of dollars to the community of Toowoomba and the community of Queensland,” he said on Wednesday.

“He has been a member of this house, a mayor of Toowoomba and a significant philanthropist in the community.

“However, he is now going to be denied the opportunity to have a political voice while at the same time unions, who have to pay tens of millions of dollars in fines for breaching legislation in this nation, have direct and, in my opinion, undue influence over members of this house.”

Mr Watts argued that Mr

‘‘ HE HAS DONATED COUNTLESS OTHER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS (BUT) HE IS NOW GOING TO BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A POLITICAL VOICE.

TREVOR WATTS

Berghofer, who has been a long-time supporter of the LNP and was at Mr Watts’ reelection party last year, should be able to express his political will.

The proposed amendment from Mr Janetzki was voted down by Labor and the Greens.

Mr Watts clarified his comments by saying he had rejected donations from developers during the last election campaign.

“The government has made this decision retrospectively, meaning a person who donated during the last campaign and doesn’t refund it faces a fine and jail time,” he told The Chronicle.

“Certainly in Toowoomba, any donations that were received that we thought would be captured by these laws were refused.

“My point is not that Clive did want to donate – my point is in a free and fair Queensland, someone of his business acumen should be able to.”

Mr Watts denied Mr Berghofer had donated to his previous campaign, and didn’t disclose who had offered.