1 May 2009

Labour admits mistake in donations declaration

8:50 pm on 1 May 2009

The Labour Party says it has made an error in its declaration of donations.

The party's secretary and financial agent, Mike Smith, presented its annual return of donations to the Electoral Commission due on Thursday.

He advised the commission that a total donation of $25,500 from three branches of the Meatworkers Union made at separate times should have been declared within 10 days of receipt of the final donation in November 2008.

That is in breach of the Electoral Act, and Mr Smith acknowledges he is personally responsible for the oversight and regrets the error.