Geelong Football Club, Committee for Geelong, Avalon Airport and David Collard’s Scale Facilitation all donated to Labor ahead of election

The Geelong Football Club, Committee for Geelong, Avalon Airport and David Collard’s Scale Facilitation all helped boost Labor’s coffers ahead of the 2022 Victorian election, an analysis of the latest political donations has found.

Former Bellarine MP Lisa Neville and her successor Alison Marchant flank former premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Alison Wynd.

The Geelong Football Club and a company linked to controversial Geelong businessman David Collard both donated money to Labor in the month leading up to the 2022 state election, while one local candidate kicked in $20,000 to her own campaign.

An analysis of state-based political donations, made public by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) this week, revealed the vast majority of financial assistance from Geelong-based organisations and individuals during the 2022-23 financial year was directed to Labor.

Mr Collard’s company Scale Facilitation, which had its now defunct North Geelong headquarters raided by Australian Federal Police in June last year over alleged tax fraud, made two payments to Labor, totalling $4319.

Mr Collard was not shy of his relationship with key political figures, notably Corio MP and deputy prime minister Richard Marles.

It is understood one of Scale’s payments – $1799 on October 19, 2022 – was related to a fundraising event where then Victorian premier Daniel Andrews was guest speaker.

Other senior party figures were also in attendance.

Corio MP Richard Marles has described controversial businessman David Collard as a “force of nature”.

The fundraiser was held for Labor’s Bellarine candidate Alison Marchant, who was subsequently successful in retaining the seat at the November 26 election following the retirement of long-term MP Lisa Neville.

Avalon Airport, Geelong Football Club and Committee for Geelong confirmed they also paid the $1799 so representatives could attend.

Avalon, chaired by Mr Andrews’ good friend David Fox, donated a further $1680 to attend another Labor event.

It is common for political parties to hold fundraising events, particularly in the lead up to elections.

Attendees are given access to influential figures who would otherwise be difficult to address directly.

VEC documents show Ms Marchant, a former staffer for Mr Marles, contributed $20,000 to her own campaign.

She said the contributions helped pay for advertising.

“All donations made or accepted for my campaign are within the donation rules, which our government has made the most robust in the nation, and are publicly available,” Ms Marchant said.

“Events usually have a guest speaker for guests to speak to and hear speeches from, this included the premier, ministers and other local members.”

Ms Marchant’s Labor colleague, South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman, contributed $11,375 to his campaign via seven instalments of $1625, while independent Bellarine candidate Sarah Fenton received $16,057, including $9037 out of her own pocket.

Ms Fenton, owner of Bellarine Smokehouse, garnered primary support of 4.58 per cent compared to Ms Marchant’s 42.63 per cent.

Geelong councillor Sarah Hathway received $2526 from the left-wing Socialist Alliance party for her tilt at the Labor stronghold of Lara.

Ms Hathway has generated headlines in recent months over her outspoken support of Palestine.

Former Geelong councillor, now Greens MP Sarah Mansfield contributed $1330 to her campaign.

GMT Hospitality Pty Ltd, operator of Geelong’s La Vista bar and restaurant, donated $3850 to Labor, while Spectre Investments Vic Pty Ltd was one of the few organisations to contribute to the Liberal Party, donating $4000.

Victorian legislation dictates that registered political parties, as well as other entities and candidates, must lodge an annual return detailing their political donations, expenditure and debts for each financial year.

Originally published as Geelong Football Club, Committee for Geelong, Avalon Airport and David Collard’s Scale Facilitation all donated to Labor ahead of election