Now that’s a loyal secretary

I just noticed on the Elections website that Labour have just declared a donation of $25,000 under the continous disclosure regime.

What is a bit interesting is that it comes from Mike Smith, who stood down last year as their long serving general secretary.

Normally when you retire from a job, the employer gives you a golden handshake. Not often the retiring employee donates $25,000 to their former employer.

It is possible the donation is on behalf of others. The law has a bit of a flaw in it, with a donation over $20,000 having to be declared immediately, but any contributors to the donation only get declared annually. We’ll find out by 30 April 2011 when the 2010 returns are due.

Note I am not suggesting any impropriety on anyone’s part. I’m all in favour of people donating to parties they support.