This Month
ETU’s revenue jump help by property investing
It is unclear how making bank from selling a Sydney McMansion or adopting the father-son rule in senior appointments aligns with the union movement’s values.
Labor, Liberals set to lose millions in corporate cash
Both major parties make millions from pay-for-access business programs for executives and lobbyists. From July 1, they will have to change how they do business.
February
Why PMs are obsessed with ‘pale pachyderm’ trains
Readers’ letters on the latest high-speed rail proposal, the NDIS, intellectual property in the age of AI, Sydney’s housing crisis, water usage at data centres and accusations of ‘gatekeeping’ at the NSW Bar Association.
ETU revenue skyrockets after CFMEU collapse
Members of Cbus can rejoice: it seems the fund’s director and the electricians’ union’s NSW boss Allen Hicks knows how to make money.
Star cabinet minister took direct donation from crypto exchange
Andrew Charlton is running the new digital assets legislation and accepted an almost $50,000 donation from SwyftX during last year’s election campaign.
Behind One Nation’s battle to win the story wars
Some believe modern politics can be boiled down to the idea that those who tell the best stories will rule the future. It’s a view the party has embraced.
Electoral Commission ordered to hand over Minns fundraiser documents
The NSW Electoral Commission didn’t want to talk about “current, past or future investigations” into the Premier’s September 2014 fundraiser – but now it has no choice.
‘The $60m man’: Labor donor was key player in landmark bribery scandal
According to annual disclosures published by the AEC this week, Peng Siong Lee donated $50,000 to the federal Labor Party in 2024-25.
The secretive business forums that gave Labor and Libs a $10m windfall
Unions, billionaires and tech bros dominated political donations in the run-up to the 2025 federal election, and income from opaque “other receipts” soared.
How Australia’s mining barons tried to sway the federal election
Every donation made to anti-teal group Australians for Prosperity was from Coal Australia Limited, which was formed by miners Whitehaven, New Hope and Bowen.
January
Queensland looks to lift ban on political donations from developers
Experts have warned allowing political donations from developers could increase the risk of corruption ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
Minns’ opponents pursue donation claims over 2014 fundraiser
Mark Latham claims the NSW Electoral Commission is re-examining the Chinese restaurant event, despite the premier saying it’s been “thoroughly investigated”.
NSW Electoral Commission to be ungagged over cash donation audits
The NSW government will allow electoral finance audits to be released, weeks after claims resurfaced about cash donations to Chris Minns’ 2015 campaign.
Climate 200 raising funds for High Court fight over donations laws
Independents would have lost $11 million if Labor’s new donations laws applied to the 2025 election, Climate 200 says, vowing to help a High Court challenge.
December 2025
Chalmers’ taxpayer-funded travel included fundraising event detours
Travel records show the treasurer booked at least 19 flights to and from cities around the time he was scheduled to attend party functions at a cost of $11,414.
Taxpayers pay for PM, ministers’ travel to Christmas soiree for donors
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has for the second time in six months hosted a full ministry meeting in Sydney followed by a fundraising event.
November 2025
Labor banks $4m election windfall, fast tracks preselections
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s urgency to lock in the candidates so far out from the 2028 poll hints at an aggressive plan to grow his party’s margin.
Having a laugh at Scott Farquhar is a bipartisan effort
There’s nothing like the Christmas spirit to get politicians from across the aisle to get along. Even if it’s not working as well within the Coalition.
Advance raised $13m to bolster ‘ill-equipped’ Liberals
Backed by some of the nation’s wealthiest businesspeople, the conservative lobby group spent millions on campaigns during the 2025 federal election year.
October 2025
Biggest business donors for teals’ 2025 election campaign revealed
The latest disclosures released by the Australian Electoral Commission show why Sussan Ley is so keen to mend relations with the corporate world.
