AGL Energy Company pled guilty to 11 counts of breaking political donation disclosure laws. The prosecution followed a probe by anti-coal and gas activists, who prompted the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) to investigate AGL’s failure to provide full disclosure on donations made to New South Wales Labor and Liberal parties. The findings of the EDO showed that, since 2008, AGL has failed to disclose as much as $51,500 in reportable donations. During this period of time, AGL sought to drill 110 seam gas wells. While many responded positively to the ruling, there was also frustration expressed by a member of the EDO that “the burden is still resting with the community to identify the breaches and bring them to the regulator’s attention.” When investigations are delayed, developers are able to seek approval for proposed drill sites at the same time that they are making undisclosed donations. AGL commented that it cooperated with the investigation and had launched its own. AGL will face a maximum penalty of $22,000 for each breach. Sentencing will occur sometime in June. For the full story, see http://www.smh.com.au/environment/agl-pleads-guilty-to-11-breaches-of-political-donation-disclosure-laws-20160212-gmsmcl.html