February 1, 2021

Donation disclosures show influence of fossil fuel companies, despite Morrison’s climate rhetoric

1 February 2021: climate action group 350.org has called for an end to political donations from fossil fuel companies after today’s donation disclosures show they’re one of the largest donors to Australian political parties.

Australian Electoral Commission disclosures for the 2019-2020 financial year show that gas company Woodside is one of the largest political donors with significant contributions also made by the Minerals Council of Australia and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), the peak industry lobby groups representing coal, oil and gas.

350 Campaigns Director Kelly Albion says “it’s no surprise that the Government is trying to give taxpayer money to big gas companies when these companies and their lobbyists are bankrolling their party.

“At the same time as the Morrison Government was pushing to bring in massive subsidies to the gas industry, the Liberal Party received significant donations from the fossil fuel sector. It’s clear that money talks with this government.

“This is an issue affecting both sides of the aisle and both major parties need to act to get fossil fuel money out of our democracy.

“It’s time to ban donations from fossil fuel companies so that community voices can be heard, and we can get on with addressing the climate crisis.

“Australian’s want our government to be taking action on climate change, instead they’re doing the bidding of their biggest donors by backing the gas industry.

ENDS

In the 2019-20 financial year, fossil fuel donations included:

 

Donor Liberal Party National Party Labor Party Total
Woodside $130,250 $67,500 $137,665 $335,415
Minerals Council $66,374 $23,100 $56,235 $145,709
Santos $37,500 $22,000 $44,000 $103,500
Chevron $45,000 $15,100 $32,000 $92,100
APPEA $28,829 $11,000 $43,480 $83,309
The Trustee for St Baker Family Trust $25,000 $48,250 $73,250
Alinta $12,500 $16,425 $28,925
Whitehaven $15,500 $15,500
Total $348,453 $151,200 $378,055 $877,708