Australian Electoral Commission releases campaign expense cashback figures

The major parties were the big winners in the AEC campaign cashback stakes, but smaller players also did well. See who got the most.

Labor and the Coalition are the biggest winners in the campaign cashback figures – but several rural independent campaigns also enjoyed a payday.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) this week finalised election funding payments to political parties and candidates for the May federal election.

Labor was not only the biggest winner on election night but also in the cashback stakes, receiving $27.1 million for its federal division.

As at the May election, the Liberal Party were silver medallists with more than $26.5 million to cover campaign expenses, while the Victorian division of the Greens placed third on a tad over $3 million.

Parties and candidates who received at least four per cent of the formal first preference vote at the federal election received an automatic payment of election funding of $10,656.

Out of the independent candidates to receive campaign compensation, Warringah MP Zali Steggall was top of the pops on $121,898.

Indi MP Helen Haines was not far behind her crossbench colleague with a cashback figure of $120,403.

Other regional independent candidates to receive cash back for their federal campaigning included Nicholls contender Rob Priestly, who picked up $70,772.

Nicholls independent candidate Rob Priestly with his wife Sonia on federal election night

A Shepparton-based businessman, Mr Priestly came close to winning the federal electorate covering the Goulburn Valley but ultimately lost to National Party contender Sam Birrell.

Radio presenter Alex Dyson also gained $56,834 to cover his independent challenge in the Wannon electorate, where he lost to Liberal MP Dan Tehan.

Some political parties lodged claims as federal entities, while others asked to defray campaign expenses via their state divisions.

The National Party’s NSW division picked up $2.4 million while south of the border, the National Party’s Victorian division gained a tick over $1 million to cover federal campaign costs.