Little or no time for Palestinians in Parliament
Alan Ramsey; 17/5/08
Whatever you think of the Rudd Government’s first budget, know that the Labor Party’s national secretary, Tim Gartrell, is a happy man. Gartrell is the bloke who has to find the money to fund Labor’s election campaigns. As such, Gartrell turned budget night into a nice little earner, thank you. Labor took over the Great Hall of the Parliament, closed it to the general public for the night, and charged $2000 a ticket for a seat at a dinner table (for 10) hosted by a minister or parliamentary secretary, and $500 for a seat at a dinner table hosted by a Labor backbencher. The Great Hall’s sit-down capacity is 750. The Government’s executive capacity is 42 ministers and parliamentary secretaries. At $18,000 for 42 “top” tables and $4500 for 33 “also-ran” tables - less costs of about $150 a head - the return to Labor Party election funds had to be not less than $800,000. Plus another hefty bag from a so-called “Labor Business Forum, budget briefing” breakfast, sponsored by Leighton Holdings, which Gartrell organised in the Parliament’s second-floor Mural Hall (capacity 450) the morning after budget night. An additional $250,000, at least. We’ll know officially later this year.
Tags: Australia, Israel, Palestinian People, Terrorism