Climate activists donated to Jack Dempsey federal election bid

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey has revealed who helped fund his bid for election to Federal Parliament in May 2022, and why he was not a ‘teal’ independent, despite evidence to the contrary. See the list of donors:

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey says he was not one of the “teal” independents who helped Labor rise to victory in the May 2022 federal election.

Speaking to the Australian Financial Review, Mr Dempsey said he ran as an independent in the election because of his strong beliefs on climate change.

“I ran as an independent because Keith Pitt doesn’t represent my values and beliefs on issues like climate change, the cashless card, regional economic development, aged care, an indigenous voice and disaster mitigation,” Mr Dempsey told the AFR.

“After I announced that I was running, there was support forthcoming from local businesses, the United Workers Union and people who care about the environment. There were no strings attached.”

Activists linked to the Climate 200 campaign helped back Mr Dempsey in his federal campaign.

Climate 200’s goal for the Australian federal election was to fund independent candidates across Australia to replace “stale politicians with leaders who will actually listen” by “electing an enduring bloc of centrist, pro-climate independents”, according to their website.

Mr Dempsey joined the Liberal National Party in 2008 and served as its Shadow Parliamentary Secretary, Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services, Shadow Minister for Child Safety, and Shadow Minister for Sport, and was a member of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee.

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey ran as an independent candidate in the 2022 federal election.

When the LNP won the 2012 Queensland election, he was sworn in as Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs, and Minister assisting the Premier.

A month later, he was appointed acting Minister for Police and Community Safety.

In 2016, he became Mayor of the Bundaberg Regional Council.

In July 2022, Mr Dempsey received a notice decision letter from the Office of the independent Assessor after it received a complaint which alleged he had failed to update his councillor register of interests in relation to 2022 federal election campaign donations within 30 days, as it required.

The updated document was submitted on August 19, 2022, for public viewing, revealing that three Climate 200 activists had donated to his federal election bid.

Simon Holmes à Court, a political activist and son of Australia's first billionaire Robert Holmes à Court, was one Climate 200 convenor who reportedly donated below the $14,500 threshold to Mr Dempsey’s campaign with his wife, Katrina Holmes à Court.

Citizen journalist Margo Kingston, as well as the Anna Josephson Foundation, managed by Climate 200 convener, Anna Josephson and renewable energy company Boundless Earth also donated to Mr Dempsey’s campaign.

Eddie Sheehy, the former CEO of a company that produces investigative analytics and intelligence software, and international entrepreneur Jamie Olsen also donated to Mr Dempsey’s cause.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks founder Cliff Fleming and his wife Lee were the most significant local donors.

Climate 200's Simon Holmes a Court. Picture: Josie Hayden

According to the registered interests document, Mr Dempsey’s wife, Christine Dempsey offered him an “interest free loan” to help fund the campaign.

Local businessman Phil Ainsworth of Osprey Investments provided Mr Dempsey with a motor vehicle for the campaign, while Bundaberg Now technology columnist Geoff Augutis, who owns Queensland Computers and is the stepson of Mr Dempsey’s chief of staff and campaign manager, Michael Gorey, provided “miscellaneous items of hardware and provision of motor vehicle use”.

Red C Investments, owned by Mitch Palm, provided billboards, while the United Workers Union provided “printing services and materials”.

Mr Dempsey told the AFR his campaign received $97,709 in donations and gifts and $38,569 in public funding.

“We’ll never know how much the mining, gas and oil companies put into Mr Pitt’s campaign unless the LNP comes clean and reveals all their donations, including those below the $14,500 threshold,” he told the AFR.

Donations valued at less than $500 are not required to be noted by councillors on registered interests documents.

Mr Dempsey was invited to provide comment on his campaign donations, but no response was given by the deadline.

Originally published as Climate activists donated to Jack Dempsey federal election bid