Van Dairy’s historic donation to Liberal Party a ‘great concern’, says Indepdent MP

Concerns about historic political donations and regulatory oversight have been raised amid an unfolding controversy at Australia’s largest dairy farm.

Van Dairy in Tasmania’s remote north west was thrust back into the spotlight this month following an audit that uncovered serious issues with effluent management.

The foreign-owned company donated $25,000 to the Tasmanian Liberal Party in 2017-18, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Independent MLC Ruth Forrest, who has represented the local upper house seat of Murchison since 2005, said the…