Execs pay $10,000 for Labor forum

The Labor party is charging $10,000 for business leaders to attend the national conference in Melbourne.

Business chiefs will fork out $10,000 each to observe Labor's national conference and get a chance to meet with shadow ministers.

The fundraiser comes amid fresh debate over political donations and a push within Labor to toughen disclosure rules.

A business observers centre - likened to a "Qantas Club" lounge - will be set up at the Melbourne Convention Centre for the July 24-26 event.

For the $10,000 donation, observers will be able to attend lunches on the Friday and Saturday and a cocktail party, all of which will have shadow ministers in attendance.

The executives can also apply to schedule a 15-minute meeting with a shadow minister with responsibility for the industry or issue they are most interested in.

The party is also making available briefings on policy and poll research.

The ALP's website describes the program as "a unique opportunity to observe conference delegates debate federal Labor's future policy directions".

"A special program designed for business observers will enable you to follow the key debates and receive briefings on major policy issues."

General observers and members of the diplomatic community have been invited at a cost of $350 a head.

The program comes as debate rages about political donations, in the wake of Labor leader Bill Shorten fronting the unions royal commission.

Mr Shorten revealed to the commission that he had asked the ALP only on Monday to disclose a $40,000 donation he received from a labour hire company eight years ago.

He told reporters in Melbourne on Friday that he was open to the idea of improving political donation disclosure laws.

"Certainly in coming weeks we'll look at what else needs to be done to improve those matters," he said.

Labor's draft platform to be debated at the national conference calls for "a new scheme to regulate political financing, including donations, other revenues, expenditures, and record-keeping".

It also seeks laws to require public disclosure of political donations over $1000.

Greens senator Lee Rhiannon called on Labor to back continuous disclosure, a national anti-corruption watchdog and a ban on donations from developers, tobacco, alcohol, gambling and mining industries.


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