Imagine if an organisation that raised millions of dollars from unknown donors and employed almost as many people as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment tried to influence the election.
Not only that, but its campaign was waged, in the main, in public view, and within the rules.
As the dust settles on a bitter election campaign, questions are being asked about the influence of corporate and private money in our politics. Some of those questions will no doubt be directed at the free-market think tank the Taxpayers’ Union (TPU).
Between August 1 and election day, it paid for polling at the national and electorate level, issued almost 100 press releases, hosted seven political debates, published four policy reports, started a petition, and drafted alternative legislation.
After the election, in which the country lurched to the political right, Newsroom asked the Taxpayers’ Union if it influenced the election. Executive director Jordan Williams responded: “We certainly hope so!”
By David Williams for Newsroom