Teals launch donations rush to get ahead of controversial new rules

Résumé détaillé

Climate 200 will launch an emergency fundraising blitz on Wednesday, as a High Court challenge against Labor’s new political donation laws is delayed.

The political fundraising machine behind the teal independents is scrambling to raise millions before new donation caps take effect, accusing Labor and the Coalition of rigging the rules to protect themselves as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation builds its own election war chest.

Climate 200 will launch an emergency fundraising blitz on Wednesday, giving supporters seven weeks to pour money into its coffers before controversial federal electoral laws take effect on January 1.

The group, founded by clean energy investor Simon Holmes à Court, is seeking a fighting fund for the 2028 election, warning the Albanese government’s new restrictions threaten to cripple the community independent movement while handing established parties a significant financial advantage.

The appeal follows a delay to a High Court challenge against the laws, meaning the restrictions will take effect before judges determine whether they are constitutional.

Former Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel, who launched the legal challenge alongside former South Australian senator Rex Patrick, accused the major parties of political self-preservation.

“The major parties promised to get big money out of politics. Instead, they’ve designed laws that rig the system in their favour and make it harder for community independents to compete,” Daniel said.

“That’s not democratic reform. It’s political self-preservation – and Australians can see right through it.”

Under the reforms, political donations will be capped at $50,000 per donor to a single recipient annually, with an overall limit of $1.6 million. Major parties will be allowed to spend up to $90 million nationally, while independents face separate campaign spending restrictions.

Climate 200 estimates Labor and the Coalition will pocket an additional $62 million in taxpayer funding each election cycle under the reforms, even as donation caps restrict the fundraising capacity of independents.

Début de l'article, extrait de The Sydney Morning Herald. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.