When one follows the trail of when the money was paid by Santos, it clearly shows that the flow of funds coincides with key legislative decisions being made by the House of Representatives or the Senate about the future of the water trigger as a means of monitoring CSG and large coal mine developments, where significant groundwater systems are involved. 

Clearly the company was trying to have some influence on the voting pattern that was under consideration.

This is further borne out by the fact that in the previous six years to the consideration of the water trigger, only one donation to the federal National Party from Santos occurred. 

Since then, 16 separate donations were made.

I don’t see funding for the Tamworth hospital as being transactional as Mr Henry queries. 

Rob Oakeshott and I were able to secure 100 per cent of the Federal Health and Hospital Fund to be spent on country health facilities.

The allocation of those funds was prioritised by the various state governments and Tamworth hospital was one of 135 health services to benefit from those funds. 

Hope this helps clarify.

Tony Windsor

Werris Creek