Funding Dynamics of Independent Political Candidates in Australia

Tens of millions of dollars in “dark” donations to political parties have renewed calls for election funding reform.

The Australian Electoral Commission’s annual release of political contributions data for 2023-24 revealed the major parties received over $140 million in donations, with close to half of that undisclosed.

Even the disclosed donations are only now just being reported – in some cases 18 months after they were made.

The Albanese government is proposing to reform the system, but independents wonder if a lack of open consultation means the government is stitching up a deal with the Coalition that would benefit the major parties at their expense.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on Australia’s biggest political donors and the roadblocks to reform.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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