Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has insisted his party is determined to comply with transparency laws regarding political donations, despite a Liberal party fundraising body missing a deadline to declare its donations by over nine months.

 

Business First, one of many such fundraising organisations in Victoria, only recently published its $24,665 in revenue despite being obliged to publish before the November 2010 state election.

 

Mr Baillieu defended the organisation, which was founded by former Liberal MP Geoff Leigh, saying that it didn’t encourage businesses to donate to individual candidates.

 

"I'm very confident that the Liberal Party meets all the requirements that are applied," Mr Baillieu said.

 

Liberal Party state director Damien Mantach defended the delays, saying that donations were not improperly sourced.

 

"The Liberal Party will disclose the donations including for candidates and campaigns it received, as required by law, in its return,"