Allegations and Premier's Response
NSW Premier Chris Minns has addressed claims regarding a 2014 Labor fundraiser, stating he cannot recall the event. The fundraiser, held at Sunny Seafood restaurant in Hurstville, is linked to allegations of potential evasion of state donation laws.
According to a donations declaration, the event raised less than $6,000 from 10 donors. However, a Chinese-language newspaper article published at the time reported that approximately 200 supporters attended the dinner to support Mr. Minns's campaign.
When questioned about how an event of that reported size could have raised such a declared amount, Mr. Minns stated he did not know and attributed his lack of recall to the event occurring 11 years ago. He suggested that multiple attendees might have collectively purchased tables. The Premier did not dispute the report of 200 attendees.
Donation Law Concerns
Concerns about the dinner emerged following an affidavit submitted in a parliamentary inquiry last month by former ALP state organiser David Latham. The affidavit alleged that Mr. Minns, then a candidate for Kogarah, requested advice on how to integrate unreceipted donations into his campaign finances.
Mr. Minns has denied these allegations, stating, "I completely and emphatically deny it, as well as any ancillary conversations that people may be alleging that took place in relation to that."
Previous Investigations and Future Legislation
The Premier initially stated that the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) had fully investigated the matter. However, when challenged, he clarified his uncertainty regarding the specific scope of ICAC's investigation concerning the Sunny Seafood dinner. He maintained that the NSWEC had thoroughly investigated his 2015 fundraising report and the fundraiser itself.
Current legislation prevents the NSWEC from commenting on specific investigations. Special Minister of State John Graham confirmed that the government plans to introduce a bill early this year to amend this, enabling the NSWEC to publish the results of compliance audits. This change would allow the agency to provide explanations regarding actions taken concerning cash donations to the Australian Labor Party.