People and businesses generally want to know these things before donating any amount – large or small.

Until the Australian Democrats actually define and communicate their beliefs, values and objectives… we can expect that honest donors will keep their hands firmly in their pockets.

Simply asking for money without communicating why just never works well.

I would argue here that very few politicians are aware of where funding actually comes from,having spoken to some while on the campaign trail. I’m sure there are those who don’t know. I would suggest they are not the ones we usually think of when we think about “politicans”.

However… Any attempt for members of the two major parties in this country to claim no knowledge of major corporate sponsorship would be amusing at best. Given that, for example, it has not been uncommon for Phillip Morris, to feature prominantly with banners and displays leading into Liberal Party conferences. Something even the reluctant media has picked up on from time to time over the years.

In reality very little about where the money comes from influences individual politicians. Most wouldn’t have the foggiest who the big donors to the party are. What does matter is the mix: if you have 500,000 donors all giving a bit you have plenty of money but too many donors to favour any one of them. If you have 10 donors giving excessive amounts of money so you don’t have to get off your butt to go and get more donors (standard fare of Aust major parties) – then you have a problem, because that is an elite enough group to give favour.

The vast majority of donors donate because they believe in and support what the party believes in and supports: not to get any favours down the line. Given the Australian Democrats strongly support openness, transparency and accountability – it seems fit to reason that supporters of the party would feel the same, and not use their donations to curry favour because they know they wouldn’t get it if the Dems live up to their promise.

However – if you don’t ask, they won’t give. I think most Democrats have got themselves tongue tied over this and just don’t ask. If you truly believe in the party then you need have faith that those who give have the same standards and values – take a deep breath and just ask ‘Will you donate to the Australian Democrats?’.