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Political donations data shows once again how major political parties receive millions in disclosed donations from mining, gas and oil companies helping secure access and outcomes, says NGO coalition Publish What You Pay.

Analysis of the 2020/2021 data shows the following:

• Fossil fuel industry sources gave a total of $2.1 million to the major political parties ($1.3m to the Coalition parties, $794,880 to Labor).

• Woodside was the biggest single fossil fuel industry donor, declaring $232,350 to the major parties.

• Analysis by the Guardian Australia shows at least $67.2m received by the major parties is so-called “dark money” – funds for which the source is not made public.

• Empire Energy, a gas company involved in the Beetaloo Basin, which has received millions in federal government grants, made $65,000 worth of donations to the the major parties.

Clancy Moore, national director of Publish What You Pay Australia made the following statements:

“Australia’s politics seems to run on a pay to play system where cash buys access and helps win outcomes. Today’s data shows the need for much stronger disclosure laws at a federal level.”

“Capping political donations and requiring companies and governments to publish political donations in real time would help re-build integrity in our political system and strengthen democracy.”

“Labor, the Greens, Liberals and National parties all need to be much more transparent when it comes to disclosing donations.”

ENDS