Donations and payments to ACT Labor doubled from $1.3 million to $2.6 million in the 2016-17 election year, compared with 2015-16, the latest political party returns show.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The returns, released this week by Elections ACT, show unions and an ACT Labor funding vehicle dominating that party's income, while businesses and individuals provided much of the Canberra Liberals' funds.
Despite Clubs ACT's decision to direct almost $200,000 to Canberra Community Voters to campaign against the government, the funds were not in the ballpark, amounting to just over seven per cent of Labor's income in 2016-17.
The records show the Canberra Liberals raised $1.7 million in 2016-17, compared to $1.02 million the previous year, while the ACT Greens received $55,375 in gifts, compared to $307,000-odd in payments in 2015-16.
ACT Labor's biggest single funder was the 1974 Foundation, which contributed $686,730 last financial year, of which was $350,000 in loans to the party specifically for the election campaign.
The remainder of the company's contributions were from some $267,866 out of the company's $335,653 available in potential disbursements for 2016-17, as well as paying down a $68,864 debt the party owed the company.
Unions also gave ACT Labor almost $175,000 in support last year, including a $52,775 donation from the CPSU and a $38,000 donation from the CFMEU ACT.
The largest Liberal donations came from Craig and Eva Edwards who donated some $95,000; Yerrabi Liberal candidate, Jacob Vadekkedathu, who contributed $15,738.87; Ignatius Rozario, who gave $11,453.50 and Geocon, which contributed $10,990.
The Liberals party appeared to have more grassroots support last financial year, recording 155 separate donations over the reportable threshold, compared to Labor's 107.
While the ACT Greens annual return has not yet been published, due to what secretary Michael Mazengarb called "a Treasury issue", he said their figures were available on their gift returns, which showed the party received $55,375.
The Greens received $10,000 each from Mark Blumer and John Reid; $5730 from David Gibson and $1500 from Blaz Segavac, while Mr Blumer also donated $3000 to Labor.
The Academy of Interactive Entertainment, a computer game design school, also crossed party lines, donating $10,000 to Labor and $2000 to the Liberals.
While Labor changed its policy to stop accepting donations from developers, in line with their election policy to ban such donations, the party received $10,000 from Geocon's Nick Georgalis.
The Liberals also received $1740 from Colliers International; $1640 from the Molongo Group's Tim Efkarpidis and $1980 from Englobo Group, in addition to the Geocon donation.
Canberra politicians also generously backed their respective parties in the election year, with Chief Minister Andrew Barr leading the way, giving $20,000 to Labor.
Labor newcomer Chris Steel chipped in about $13,000, speaker Joy Burch gave about $12,000 and police minister Mick Gentleman tipped in about $11,500.
Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry was another of the top donors, giving about $11,000, while health minister Meegan Fitzharris gave about $9500 and backbencher Michael Pettersson (around $9200).
Federally, Member for Fenner Andrew Leigh donated about $8000 and Senator Katy Gallagher gave about $9000.
Canberra Liberals leader Alistair Coe contributed about $9500 to his party, former leader Jeremy Hanson gave about $6800 and Vicki Dunne donated about $10,000.
Other elected Liberal donors included territory MLAs Nicole Lawder giving about $6400, Guilia Jones adding $6300, Andrew Wall giving about $6100 and NSW deputy premier John Barilaro tipping in $2000.
Greens leader Shane Rattenbury donated about $1100 to his party, while MLA Caroline Le Couteur gave $1500.
