Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

It is very relevant, because it was sponsored by Cbus. Everybody on the boat had their Cbus shirts on and they were all talking about Cbus super. I thought to myself: 'I wonder if the people who have Cbus super funds actually know that their money is being spent on a fishing trip. I'll turn it on again next Sunday.' Again, there we had Cbus spending their money on a fishing show. How is that value for money for those who have Cbus super funds?

The Australian Financial Review reported:

… aggregated data taken from the Electoral Commission shows a total $85.5 million in non-donation and non-gift payments by 51 funds to political entities and associates over the past five years.

Let me repeat that number: $85 million over five years by 51 super funds for non-donation and non-gift payments. That's a pretty expensive dinner. It has to be a very expensive dinner. Why should the people whose money it is not know what it's spent on? Coincidentally, it always surges during election years. But they're not political donations—no, not at all!

I do not support these changes; I do not support the continual erosion of our parliamentary processes; and I do not support any move in this place that thwarts transparency. We need more transparency, particularly around our super funds and how they are treated as cash cows largely by the union movement. I want to see more work done in this space, not less.

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