Dated: 30 July 2009

Decision Number: 2009-35

Subject: The Road Transport Trust made various donations to political parties in 2008, which were included in the parties’ donation returns. The funds were collected by the Trust to make donations to political parties and undertake other campaign activities.

The Electoral Commission considered whether:

• the donations were funded from contributions and the donor failed to disclose information about the contributions
• any offence has been committed under section 25 of the Electoral Finance Act and, if so, whether the offence should be reported to the Police.

 Findings and Determination: The Road Transport Trust made donations to political parties and failed to advise the parties that the donations were funded from contributions and provide information about the contributors. However no offence was committed as there was no intention to conceal the identity of the contributors.

Contravention of section 24 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 by failure to disclose to parties that donations were funded from contributions and relevant information about the contributors. No offence committed under section 25 of the Act as the donor did not fail to disclose the information with the intention of concealing the identity of the contributors.

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