John Curtin House
| Abbreviation | JCH |
|---|---|
| Established | January 8, 1975 in Canberra, Australia[1] |
| Type | Investment company |
| Location | |
Secretary | Paul Erickson |
| ALP National Executive[3] | |
Parent organization | Australian Labor Party |
| Subsidiaries | John Curtin House Trust[4] |
| Revenue | Unknown |
| Funding | Unknown |
John Curtin House Limited is a Canberra-based holding company owned by the Australian Labor Party (ALP), named after John Curtin House, a building in Barton, Canberra which was the former headquarters of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). The building is in turn named after the former Labor Prime Minister (1941–1945), John Curtin.[5]
History
John Curtin House Limited (JCH) was founded and incorporated by the Australian Labor Party in 1975 and primarily exists as a property investment firm, deriving much of its income from property sub-leases.[6] It also derives income from fees imposed on elected ALP parliamentarians through "software levies."[6]
From 1992 to 2005, John Curtin House Limited was involved in a controversial scheme where the Australian National Audit Office paid above-market rent for premises at Centenary House, at a profit to the Labor Party.[7][8]
In 2002–2003, John Curtin House gave $1,235,000 to the Australian Labor Party, making it the ALP's single largest donor.[9]
Critics say John Curtin House Limited exists as a front to hide the identities of donors to the Australian Labor Party.[10][11][12][13]
Regulatory compliance
John Curtin House Ltd is officially registered as an associated entity with the Australian Electoral Commission.
Electoral Commission reports
- AEC Compliance Review Report (2019–20) | Australian Electoral Commission Compliance Review Report, pursuant to section 316(2A) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, published November 2022
- Associated Entity Annual Returns: John Curtin House Limited | A register of annual returns submitted to the AEC from 1998–99
See also
References
- ↑ "JOHN CURTIN HOUSE LIMITED ACN 008 515 222". connectonline.asic.gov.au. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "Historical details for ABN 87 008 515 222". abr.business.gov.au. Australian Business Register (ABR). Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "ALP National Constitution, 2023" (PDF). alp.org.au. Australian Labor Party. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ "Current details for ABN 30 894 586 629". abr.business.gov.au. Australian Business Register (ABR). Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ Wilmot, Ben (7 June 2017). "Labor and unions pocket $6.4m each after Curtin House sold". The Australian.
- 1 2 Miragliotta, Narelle; Manwaring, Rob; Holloway, Josh (3 August 2023). "New old ways of financing the party: exploring the commercial activities of modern political parties" (PDF). Euripean Political Science Review (14): 148–165. doi:10.1017/S1755773923000176. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ Ramsey, Alan (21 February 2004). "A chronic pox on Labor's house". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
- ↑ "ALP donations up to $46m under Latham". Nine Entertainment Co. Sydney Morning Herald. 2 February 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ Coultan, Mark (26 November 2004). "Fine print is the life of the party". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
- ↑ Gordon, Josh (3 February 2004). "Parties hide donor identities". The Age. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
- ↑ Crowe, David (31 January 2022). "Political donations: $1.2 billion over 22 years, and 'associated entities' dominate". Nine Entertainment Co. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ Mizen, Ronald (16 April 2025). "The secret millions bolstering Labor and Liberal election campaigns". Nine Entertainment Co. Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ↑ Taylor, Lenore (28 April 2014). "Icac: shadowy political fundraisers dragged into the light of day". The Guardian Australia. theguardian.com. Retrieved 17 June 2026.