Groom federal election: Independents Suzie Holt, Kirstie Smolenski spent $122k on campaigns according to Australian Electoral Commission

Independent Suzie Holt shocked Groom at the federal election by finishing second to incumbent Garth Hamilton. Now it’s been revealed how much it cost to achieve the result.

Groom’s two independents at the 2022 federal election spent a combined $122,000 on their campaigns, with one candidate receiving nearly $50,000 in donations.

Suzie Holt and Kirstie Smolenski’s large figures were the two highest returns in Groom released by Australian Electoral Commission on its transparency register this week.

Ms Holt, who sensationally finished second behind LNP incumbent Garth Hamilton on a 57-43 split, reported the third-highest expenditure of all candidates in Queensland with $75,584.

This include nearly $50,000 in donations from 87 sources, at an average of $571 each.

Ms Smolenski, who was seventh-highest in Queensland with $46,720, spoke about investing heavily into her own campaign back in May.

She attracted $6400 from 32 donors, at an average of $200 each.

The AEC register also reveals United Australia Party’s Groom candidate Melissa Bannister spent $11,800 on her campaign and attracted $5090 from 44 donations.

Australian Federation Party’s Ryan Otto was next with $5650 spent and $1752 from donors, while One Nation candidate Grant Abraham spent $5200 on his campaign.

Mr Hamilton, his Labor opponent Gen Allpass and Greens candidate Mickey Berry all did not disclose their campaign expenditures.

This is because candidates who are endorsed by a political party can opt to provide a “nil” disclosure and roll reporting into that party’s return for the 2021-22 financial year.

These figures won’t be available until February next year.

Ms Allpass, who finished second on primary vote with 18 per cent, was at Labor’s state conference representing Groom on the Sunshine Coast at the weekend.

Special guests included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Originally published as Groom federal election: Independents Suzie Holt, Kirstie Smolenski spent $122k on campaigns according to Australian Electoral Commission