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WA Greens MP Sophie McNeill, Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart. Pictures: Supplied

Rinehart donation triggers WA parliament meltdown after Greens lash backing of right-wing lobbyists

West Australian Greens MP Sophie McNeill triggered a fierce debate in the state’s parliament on Wednesday as she lashed the influence of the nation’s richest person in politics.

  • Hamish Hastie

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Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, who had carriage of the donation change bill, in parliament last year.

Warning on Olympic corruption risk after developer donation ban overturned

The LNP this week reversed a ban on state political donations by developers and quadrupled the cap, despite the corruption watchdog’s concerns.

  • Matt Dennien
During the last sitting week, Labor renamed several standing parliamentary committees – all essentially controlled by the government – with one now featuring one of its own political slogans.

Committees sign off controversial developer donation and youth bail bills

The Crisafulli government has confirmed one of set of proposed laws will be passed in next week’s return of parliament for 2026 – and challenged Labor to support it.

  • Matt Dennien
Former independent candidate Paul Hopper is challenging the Victorian government’s political donation laws in the High Court.

Victoria’s political donation laws unfairly favour major parties, High Court told

Labor’s controversial political donation regime is being tested in the High Court of Australia as former independent candidates take their case to Canberra.

  • Brittany Busch and Annika Smethurst
Brethren Church members at a polling booth in Sydney during the election campaign last year.

Exclusive Brethren members, Gina Rinehart donate to right-wing group Advance

Clive Palmer was Australia’s biggest political donor, pouring $53 million into his failed campaign, while Coal Australia donated millions to third-party “grassroots” campaigns.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos, James Massola and Brittany Busch
The Victorian government faces a High Court challenge to its fundraising laws despite a last-minute bid to amend the laws.

High Court rejects Victorian bid to stall donation law case

Victoria’s political donation laws will this week face a legal challenge in the nation’s top court after the state government’s attempt to delay the case failed.

  • Annika Smethurst
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Donations would be treated differently at council and state levels, bringing potential “confusion”, the CCC said.

Watchdog warns against rolling back ban on developer donations

The investment pouring into Brisbane would bring “real and/or perceived risks of undue or improper influence”, the CCC fears.

  • Rosanna Ryan
Zoe Daniel on the campaign trail earlier this year.

High Court fight over laws said to entrench ‘cosy table for two’

Former independent politicians Zoe Daniel and Rex Patrick are spearheading a challenge to Albanese government donation reforms, which they say entrench the dominance of major parties.

  • Annika Smethurst

Developers to be allowed to donate to state politicians again

But the Crisafulli government’s proposed election law changes will not bring back optional preferential voting.

  • Matt Dennien
Basil Zempilas at the WA Liberal Party Campaign launch in February.

WA taxpayers funded the Liberals’ entire state election campaign

Taxpayers have poured millions into the coffers of political parties after the March 8 state election.

  • Hamish Hastie