The $1.1 million war chest that toppled Tony Abbott from his Warringah seat during 2019 election

New figures reveal the major donors who backed Zali Steggall and helped turf former prime minister Tony Abbott out of parliament.

Independent Zali Steggall raised more than $1.1 million from 1378 donors ahead of the May federal election.

Ms Steggall, who toppled former prime minister Tony Abbott in the Sydney seat of Warringah, was among three key independents who raised almost $2 million for their election campaigns.

The northern beaches MP had nine supporters who donated more than $13,800 and therefore had to register their individual returns.

Environmentalist and businessman Robert Purves was the biggest individual donor, giving the Steggall campaign $67,000 in two chunks, figures from the Australian Electoral Commission released on Monday show.

His sister, Sandra Purves, donated $37,000.

Another big donor was businesswoman Anna Josephson, who contributed $57,725 and also gave media interviews during the campaign as a long-term Liberal voter turned Steggall backer.

Other big supporters were Symi Investments Pty Ltd, which gave $50,000, and Extend your Edge Pty Ltd, which gave $57,000.

Independent candidate for Warringah Zali Steggall celebrates her win in the seat of Warringah. Picture: Dylan Coker/AAP

Sally Perini, director of not-for-profit initiative Zeromow aimed at creating awareness of battery-powered mowing and gardening equipment, gave $20,000.

McGuire Family Holdings gave $22,000, and both William Manos and Neil Balnaves gave $20,000.

Ms Steggall spent $910,893 of this money on her election campaign.

It’s not yet known how much Mr Abbott spent on his campaign because political party election funding details won’t be published until February.

The AEC figures showed Oliver Yates, who unsuccessfully challenged Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the Melbourne seat of Kooyong, raised $362,578 from 261 donors.

Only two of those were reportable, with philanthropist and Stella Prize founder Ellen Koshland giving his campaign $25,000 and Climate 200 Pty Ltd, an entity formed by Sydney accountant Damien Hodgkinson, giving $145,000.

Mr Yates ended the campaign in the red, having spent $483,804.

Independent Oliver Yates (right) didn’t manage to unseat Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Picture: Stuart McEvoy/The Australian

Meanwhile, Helen Haines won the seat of Indi, succeeding fellow independent Cathy McGowan and spending $321,114 on the campaign.

She took in donations from 1002 people for a total of $421,011 raised. Ms Haines’ husband Philip – who ran Ms McGowan’s campaigns in 2013 and 2016 – donated $39,250 and her son Nick gave $15,620.

Climate 200 Pty Ltd also donated to her campaign, giving $35,000. It was the biggest individual donor of the campaign in the figures revealed so far, giving $354,500 to a range of independents challenging Coalition politicians.

Donors to Climate 200 included high-profile businessmen Simon Holmes a Court and Mike Cannon-Brookes.

Dr Helen Haines (centre) with fellow independents Zali Steggall (left) and Rebekha Sharkie, Centre Alliance Member for Mayo. Picture Kym Smith