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The property industry has ramped up its political donations to a fresh peak that takes its total funding to $54.2 million over the past two decades, finds new analysis that calls for curbs on the way big companies buy influence.
The donations rose to $5.7 million in 2019 in a long-term trend towards greater spending on the major political parties, handing federal Liberals about twice as much as Labor.
Westfield co-founder Frank Lowy is among the property developers leading the list of donors over two decades.
Credit:Louise Kennerley
Billionaire property developers including Westfield co-founder Frank Lowy, Harry Triguboff of Meriton, John Gandel of the Gandel Group and Lang Walker of the Walker Group are among the top 10 donors over two decades.
Highly problematic for public trust : Australian political donations revealed
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A surge in donations at the last federal election has taken the resource industry’s political payments to $136.8 million over two decades and a new analysis has named the sector as the biggest donor in Australian politics.
Mining and gas companies ramped up their spending on political parties in recent years to outstrip property developers and other big donors, led by a funding blitz from coal and iron ore magnate Clive Palmer.
Mining and gas companies ramped up their spending on political parties in recent years, led by a funding blitz from Clive Palmer.
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STRONG The Strong Elementary School was the scene of an altercation Thursday morning, Jan. 7, that resulted in a call to 911, the school being locked down, and an arrest made.
According to a release from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, at 8:12 a.m., Lt. St. Laurent, Lt. Rackliffe, Det. Stephen Charles, Deputies, Gray & McCormick and Trooper Malcore responded to Strong Elementary School regarding a disturbance there where the school had to fully lock down for one hour.
Investigation revealed that Christian Richards, age 27, of Strong arrived at the school, and became agitated with school officials to the point where officials dialed 911 and placed the school in full lockdown.
Disturbance at Strong Elementary School leads to lockdown, arrest
Christian Richards, 27, of Strong was arrested on two charges of terrorizing.
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STRONG The Strong Elementary School went into full lockdown for one hour Thursday morning after a disturbance resulted in the arrest of a local man.
Christian Richards
Franklin County Detention Center photo
“As the result of an agitated individual at Strong Elementary School this morning and out of extreme caution for students and staff, lockdown protocols were implemented,” Todd Sanders, superintendent of School Administrative District 58, wrote in an email.
An investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Christian Richards, 27, of Strong arrived at the school, became agitated with officials, who dialed 911. The school was locked down, according to Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr.