The six ‘teal’ independent candidates who were elected to the House of Representatives for the first time at May’s Federal Election collectively spent over $9.4 million to support their campaigns.
Newly released data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) found the six ‘teal’ candidates who were elected to the House of Representatives spent the most money among all independents at the election.
The context
The AEC released information regarding donations and spending for independent candidates in May’s Federal Election.
This made public the donations that independent political candidates received, and the money they spent to promote their campaigns.
How much they spent
Who donated?
Donations came from a wide array of sources, including individuals and organisations.
However, the Climate 200 funding body, which sought to back community-focused independents focused on climate change, was a big contributor to the teal campaigns.
All six of the newly-elected teals received over $700k in donations from Climate 200, with Tink ($808k) the biggest beneficiary.
What about the parties?
Candidates endorsed by a political party, such as the Liberal or Labor Party, will have their donation records released in February.
This will include David Pocock, an Australian Senator who was backed by the Climate 200 funding body and considered a teal candidate, but officially ran under his own party.
Major political parties also accept significant donations, which are used to finance their election campaigns.
