Thread by @cpi_aus

Analysis of donations declared to the AEC over 22 years from 1998/1999-2019/2020 shows that:

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#auspol #politicaldonations

The Australian Labor Party was the largest fundraiser, raising $564.25 million;

💰33.15% of ALP donations came from associated entities
💰29.59% from associated unions
💰6.91% from the property industry

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The Coalition raised $499.16 million

💰41.78% of Coalition donations came from associated entities
💰11.39% from the property industry
💰 9.29% from individuals

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Donations peak in election years, with the last federal election setting the record at almost $160 million;

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Big donors have a big impact, with 22.48% of Coalition and 21.83% of ALP fundraising coming from donations over $1 million.

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“Millionaires are funding our political parties. Over 20% of major party fundraising comes from donations over a million. Members of the public cannot compete with this level of influence”

~ Professor Joo Cheong Tham, a Director of the Centre for Public Integrity.

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"Campaign spending caps should be put in place to stop the fundraising arms race. Donation caps are needed to rein in the influence of millionaire donors."

~ Professor Joo Cheong Tham, a Director of the Centre for Public Integrity.

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"And we need real time disclosure of donations over $1000 so that the public knows who is funding our political parties before they vote, not 9 months after the election,”

~ Professor Joo Cheong Tham, a Director of the Centre for Public Integrity.

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Read our research paper, A few loud voices, in full here:

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publicintegrity.org.au/research_paper…