THE SUN-HERALD NSW POLITICAL EDITOR EXPOSES THE STATE MP IN NEW CASH – FOR ACCESS SCANDAL
A Star Labor recruit urged his business clients to attend a $15,000 a-table political fund raiser because it was important for them “to be seen talking to the right people.” Despite being paid $4,000 a month to lobby on behalf of hotel owners angry about losing poker machine entitlements, Robert Furolo now a NSW MP hit them to attend the lavish Sydney Convention Centre fund raiser to help his party boost its coffers before last year’s state election.
The cash-for-access scandal is another body blow for Premier Nathan Rees after a string of bad behaviour by ministers.
Mr Furolo, the Labor Mayor of Canterbury, was elected in October to replace former Premier Morris Iemma for whom he once worked in the safe Labor seat of Lakemba. In July 2006 he was engaged by a small group of hotel owners to try to resolve a long standing dispute over whether poker machine entitlements belonged to them or the people who leased their pubs.
They paid his company, Strategic Business Solutions, a monthly retainer to try to get access to the top levels of government. In a letter to group member Patrick Pignataro, Mr Furolo said: “With over 10 years’ experience at senior levels within the NSW Government, including working for the Minister for Gaming and Racing, I believe I possess the skills and understanding to provide assistance in this matter.”
Pub owner Greg Evans and hotel broker Nick Tinning attended the fund raiser and sat with Minister Tony Kelly. They were introduced to Mr Iemma, with whom they were desperate to raise their issues.
“Robert told us there was a Labor Party function and it would be good if we could attend,” Mr Evan’s said.
Yesterday, Saturday November 22, Mr Furolo was unapologetic about getting free paying clients to cough up extra money to help his party.
“They didn’t have to buy a table,” he said. “I suggested that they, well, I made it available to them and if they wanted to help out they could. (It was) just a chance to have another forum to meet with people, I suppose. Just an opportunity for them to get along and be seen talking to the right people. Just a little suggestion to them about how they can see the people who had an interest in their issues.”
Editor’s note: Mr Furolo my grandfather had a favourite saying, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” It’s interesting to note that your State Labor colleagues Mr Furolo gave State Independent Clover Moore hell when she decided to remain as Lord Mayor of Sydney as well as a serving member in the NSW Parliament. And yet you are playing exactly the same dual roles. What a mob of Hypocrites!
One would hope that Mayor Robert Furolo is not remaining on Canterbury Council so that he and his Labor colleagues may push for high rise developments. It is worth noting that it was a Labor controlled Canterbury City Council who sold the green-space Kingsgrove Bowling Club to a major garden nursery. Remember the Labor controlled Liverpool City Council was going to allow the Macquarie Bank and the Bulldogs Rugby League Club to develop green-space into residential units. This development plan was known as the “Oasis Development.”