Owen Glenn

Owen Glenn

He is the big fish that nearly got away from Labour Party president and fundraiser Mike Williams.

Seriously wealthy expat Owen Glenn - he is worth hundreds of millions of dollars and lives in Sydney - told Prime Minister Helen Clark he was willing to give money to Labour when the two met at a tourism dinner in Sydney.

But when Clark got home ... bugger, she could not remember his name.

The next step for Williams would have been to comb through a list of attendees to track down the man with the money.

He was preparing for that task when Glenn did his own follow-up - emailing Clark directly.

This led to Glenn, the founder and chairman of the OTS Logistics Group, which operates in 177 countries, giving $500,000 to Labour as the party gears up to fight this year's election.

Asked why, the 65-year-old former Mt Roskill Grammar student said he liked the way Clark governed the country and felt she stacked up well on the international scene.

"I particularly like her stance on seeking free-trade agreements with China and the United States."

However, Glenn, who has not lived here since 1966, says he does not expect anything in return from Labour. The gift was a "spontaneous gesture".

For Williams - who is among the most open of the political fundraisers - Glenn's gift is a welcome fillip to his fundraising for the election campaign.

Labour declared $1.47 million worth of election expenses after the 2002 election, second only to Act's $1.6 million splashed out on advertising, broadcasting and publishing. This time Williams believes Labour will spend near the $2.38 million limit allowed under the Electoral Act.

Labour's straight-talking president visits about 300 business leaders a year. In one month he might visit, say, all the big fishing companies, or transport companies.

He takes notes in a big red exercise book, goes through them once a month and reports themes - or any "common bitch" - to Labour's caucus.

Williams also sends a thank-you letter for each meeting - inviting a gift to be sent to Labour's general secretary, Mike Smith.

He says he is prepared to take up issues with Cabinet ministers on behalf of business.

"But obviously you can't offer any quid pro quo for a donation because that would be corrupt."