Liberal MP, Ben Morton, has accused activist organisation, GetUp, of being a “front” for Labor and the Greens, rather than an independent organisation. Morton claims the two latest additions to GetUp’s board have links to Labor, including the party’s former digital director Daniel Stone. The Coalition wants the Australian Electoral Commission to recognise GetUp as an “associated political entity”. From The Australian:
West Australian Liberal MP Ben Morton told The Australian yesterday that the latest appointments to the GetUp! board showed just how partisan the group was.
“GetUp! has got to get over the façade it presents as independent when the weight of evidence shows it is nothing more than a front for Labor and the Greens,” Mr Morton said.
“Their key personnel and their links to political parties does suggest that GetUp! is just a party extension.”The Coalition is planning a second attempt to persuade the Australian Electorial Commisson to recognise GetUp! as an associated political entity, following a failed attempt in 2011. If successful, GetUp! would be required to observe tougher electoral disclosure laws about its funding and could be identified as an arm of Labor, just as trade unions are.
In Senate committee hearings under way, Liberal Eric Abetz and some of his colleagues have argued that partisan ties of GetUp! to Labor and the Greens can no longer be ignored by the electoral commission. They have cited campaigns at the last election that targeted only Coalition candidates in marginal seats.
While GetUp may indeed have strong ties with Labor and The Greens, one could equally make the same case the Coalition and its strong ties to well-resourced industry organisations like the Property Council of Australia, the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Bankers Association, the Minerals Council, or for that matter, the Murdoch Press who have each run strong campaigns pushing certain policy agendas.
It seems the Coalition only supports “free speech” when the subject matter is agreeable to its policy position.
