Overview

• Newly posted AEC returns show community independent campaigns collected about $27.2 million in 2025, yet some of the biggest fundraisers such as Alex Dyson and Caz Heise each topped $2 million and still lost.
• Climate 200 was the largest single funder, raising about $9.5 million and disbursing roughly $10.9 million to 34 candidates through 483 payments in the most recent financial year.
• Individual receipts included Monique Ryan on about $1.9 million to retain Kooyong and Zoe Daniel on roughly $1.8 million in Goldstein, where she was defeated by Liberal Tim Wilson.
• Major backers identified in the disclosures include Robert Keldoulis with $3.3 million to independents including $1 million to Climate 200, plus $300,000 from Atlassian chief executive Mike Cannon‑Brookes to Climate 200, alongside contributions from Keep Them Honest, Regional Voices Fund and Vida Impact Fund.
• Announced reforms would cap entity donations to $50,000 per candidate and about $1.6 million across candidates before 2028, and broader comparisons with major parties await annual returns due in early 2026.