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One Nation requires secrecy pledge for $3,000 Sydney fundraiser guests
One Nation has asked guests at a $3,000-a-head Sydney fundraiser to sign an agreement barring them from revealing who attended or what was discussed. Transparency campaigners say the measure raises concerns about political fundraising being kept from public scrutiny ahead of a New South Wales election.
The four-hour event is due to feature Pauline Hanson and other senior party figures, with guests also prohibited from sharing photos, recordings or comments with media. The agreement continues after the event; its venue is undisclosed and attendees were reportedly to receive its location shortly before it began. One Nation has reported $5,000 in donations so far in 2026-27, compared with $286,200 for NSW Labor and $95,900 for the NSW Liberals.
In short
- One Nation donors face an NDA at a $3,000 Sydney fundraiser.
- The agreement bars disclosure of attendees and event discussions.
- Transparency advocates say voters deserve scrutiny of political fundraising.
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The case for
A private fundraiser can give donors and party figures space for candid discussion without every remark being immediately reported or taken out of context. If the event complies with disclosure laws, supporters may argue that the pledge protects attendees’ privacy and the party’s ability to raise funds, while the public can still scrutinise donations through official reporting.
The case against
Political fundraising can shape access and influence, so keeping the guest list and discussion confidential may make it harder for voters to assess who is seeking proximity to party leaders and what interests are being raised. With an election approaching, critics can reasonably argue that greater openness would strengthen public trust and help scrutiny keep pace with formal donation disclosures.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “One Nation asks donors at $3,000-a-head Sydney fundraiser to accept ‘non-disclosure agreement’”.