Australia’s laws on political donations are under the spotlight after it was revealed Tasmanian Liberals accepted more than $500,000 from gambling lobby groups ahead of last year’s state election.
Industry heavyweights sided with the conservatives in a bid to quash Labor’s plans to eradicate pokies machines from clubs and pubs by 2021.
ALSO READ: ACT GOVERNMENT TO BEGIN POKIES PURGE
The Liberals were rewarded for an aggressive, multi-platform advertising campaign as Will Hodgman won another term as premier.
But only now, 11 months after the March 2018 vote, is the public learning where the money for that campaign came from.
Figures released last Friday show a significant discrepancy between the amounts declared by political parties and the amounts actually donated.
For example, the Liberals reported $160,000 in funding from the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) when the group itself claimed to have poured in $270,000.
This is down to a loophole caused by the $13,500 disclosure threshold for political donations.
The THA reeled off a number of $10,000 deposits in the days leading up to the March 2018 election, but the Liberals did not have to declare any of those funds because each individual contribution was under the threshold.
This kind of ‘dark money’ – i.e. contributions from sources unknown to the public – made up more than half of the Liberal party’s total funding last year.
“It’s another one of these annual reminders we get about how deeply flawed the commonwealth’s donations regime is,” Grattan Institute researcher Danielle Wood told The Guardian.
“The fact that we had a very significant flow of money from one particular industry during an election campaign; people suspected it was there, but the voters of Tasmania are only finding out now, more than a year and a half later.
“It’s unacceptable.”
The Liberals also received around $244,000 in donations from the Federal Group, ECB Leisure, Jonod and Kalis Hospitality – all businesses with significant gaming interests.
More Australian gambling news
Score big every Saturday with ReefSpins’ Reload Bonus
Get a 40% reload bonus up to $100 twice every Saturday at ReefSpins.
Reef Spins Weekday Booster: 30% match up to $100, Monday–Friday
Give your weekdays a lift at Reef Spins with a 30% top‑up to $100 when you deposit $30 or more—claim up to three times Monday...
Wild Weekends: House of Jack Rewards Players with Bonus Back
Enjoy Wild Weekends at House of Jack! Get 20% cashback up to $2,000 on net losses. Valid Saturdays and Sundays. Wagering terms apply.
Boho weekend bonus | 50% up to $3,000 + 50 Free Spins
Deposit $150+ with code WKEND at Boho Casino and claim a 50% bonus up to $3,000 plus 50 free spins every weekend. T&Cs apply.
Turn up the heat with North Casino’s Summer Reload offer
Get up to $1000 in weekly bonuses with North Casino’s summer reload promo. Exclusive offers for AU, NZ, CA, IE, DE & DK players. Runs...
Latest online casino promotions
Luckzie Casino offers $4,500 in welcome slot bonuses
Luckzie Casino is giving new players up to $4,500 in slot bonuses across five welcome offers. Start spinning today with 200%, 150%, and 100% match...
ReefSpins Casino sign up bonus: $3 free cash on pokies
ReefSpins gives $3 free to try pokies. Verify by OTP, no deposit needed. 40x wagering, $1 max, 7-day expiry. AU & NZ new players.
Claim up to 250 Free Spins every month at OnlineCasinoGames
Loyal players get rewarded at OnlineCasinoGames. Deposit last month and claim up to 250 Free Spins with the Monthly Spins Bonus.
Claim your share of €70,000 at 888STARZ online casino
The €70,000 Spin & Win Tournament is here! Play exciting online slots at 888STARZ, unlock casino bonuses, and fight for leaderboard glory.
Spin & win in King Johnnie’s €300,000 Galaxy Hunters tournament
Take part in the €300,000 Galaxy Hunters tournament from August 5 to 30, 2025. Play Booongo & Playson slots, earn points, and climb the leaderboards.