Get the appFormer BHP Mt Arthur coal miner Simon Turner has pursued a compensation claim against BHP for about a decade. Records show concerns about his employment and compensation were raised with politicians and regulators over several years. A Sydney Morning Herald investigation found WorkPac recorded $48,000 in payments to One Nation in 2021-22. One Nation denies those payments influenced its vote on casual employment legislation in March 2021.
Tasmania's Labor opposition plans to table a private members' bill this week to introduce election spending caps for the first time. The bill would limit parties to $50,000 per candidate, and independents to $60,000. Leader Josh Willie said the reform would stop elections being decided by who has the biggest bank balance. He expects the Liberal government and One Nation to oppose the bill. An expert warned that caps could greatly favour incumbents.
Donations to One Nation come from mining, hotel, banking and fossil fuel interests, along with Liberal figures and Advance Australia links. The party is also reported to have undisclosed transactions linked to the Queensland state election. Gina Rinehart has reportedly given Pauline Hanson expensive gifts, including a $2.1m aircraft that came with several large donations. One forecast puts the party's projected public funding at $219m if its current polling holds. The writer argues that corporate backing is helping the party gain political power.
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Get the appElon Musk has financed a major canvassing operation to help Republican candidates in the US midterm elections, according to federal filings. His America PAC has spent $76.7 million in the third quarter of 2026, with $35.8 million going to a field operation targeting Donald Trump's core voters across all seven Senate battleground states. Musk also gave $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, and a similar amount appears to have flowed to Texas PAC, which backs Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. The filings suggest Musk is now the largest known donor in the midterms.
Professor Christopher Wright argues that the fossil fuel industry has strongly shaped Australia's climate and energy policies. He says lobbying, networking and political donations have blocked serious moves to cut carbon emissions. Fossil fuel corporations donated close to $4 million to major parties in 2024-25. Wright describes a revolving door between industry and government, and says the industry promotes coal and gas as central to the nation's future. He argues that new coal and gas projects continue to be approved.
The New South Wales Electoral Commission will become a lobbying regulator with stronger powers to audit compliance, the State Government has announced. Third-party lobbyists who deal with councils will have to register. Former ministers and officials will face a cooling-off period of up to six months before taking private sector jobs linked to their public roles. Special Minister of State John Graham said the package aims to restore public trust before the March 2027 state election.
Drug companies gave at least $7.7 million to Australia's major political parties over ten years, according to a new study. The figures differ between what companies say they gave and what parties say they received. Labor and the Coalition reported receiving different amounts from the companies. Donations were fairly steady, and the study found no surges during election years. Changes to federal disclosure laws are due from January 2027, but a High Court challenge could affect them.
Amazon made 34 payments totalling $538,000 to Labor and Liberal branches over six years, with one $46,500 payment made weeks after a $20bn datacentre plan was announced. Macquarie Technology Group also paid NSW Liberal and Labor branches, while a company spokesperson said its payments did not influence planning outcomes. Viridis Green hired former Queensland premier Rob Borbidge to lobby ministers after a $20,000 donation to the Queensland LNP. Transparency advocates and inquiry members have questioned whether such payments seek access and influence, while companies deny any link to decisions.
David Hargreaves, writing from Bonville, says voters should consider backing independent candidates ahead of the state election. He notes that the Australian Electoral Commission defines an independent as a candidate not endorsed by a registered party. He argues that self-funding is out of reach for most candidates, and that community-funded independents are not bound to party or donor interests. He urges voters to give new candidates a chance, saying that if nothing changes, nothing changes.
New Zealand's political donations have reached about NZ$7.4 million in 2026, surpassing the 2023 total. The ACT Party leads with $2.35 million, followed by National on $2.29 million. Labour and New Zealand First have received $890,301 and $833,000 respectively. The surge has renewed debate over New Zealand’s political funding rules, with concerns about influence and access. The Greens and Opportunity have proposed a $30,000 cap per donor per election cycle, a ban on company donations, and disclosure of donations above $1,000.