Major parties were again big beneficiaries of fossil fuel money in 2021-22, with gas, oil and coal interests giving more than $2.3 million to Labor, the Liberals and the Nationals.
The political donations data, released today by the Australian Electoral Commission, shows:
“Donations to political parties from industries that want to influence government policy often increase in election years and this was the case with fossil fuel interests in 2021-22,” said the Australian Conservation Foundation’s corporate campaign manager Jolene Elberth.
“The fact fossil fuel interests donated more to Labor than to the Liberal and National parties suggests the coal and gas firms sensed Labor was headed for victory and shows the whole point of companies donating to political parties is to gain access to decisionmakers.
“The latest data confirms the financing of politics in Australia is an opaque affair, with $105 million of the money that funds Australia’s major parties having no identifiable source.
“Fossil fuel companies and their lobby groups are big donors to the major parties.
“Hefty donations and membership fees to exclusive party forums give fossil fuel companies easy access to our elected representatives. Over time, that access translates to influence.
“Political donations reform – as Labor promised in the lead up to last year’s election – are desperately needed and should be enacted immediately to improve integrity and make the system more transparent.
“Caps on donations, a lower threshold for revealing donations and more regular disclosures would vastly improve the integrity of our political system.”