Home > Friends in high places: fossil fuel political donations

Friends in high places: fossil fuel political donations

31 January 2019

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February 2019

Every year, Australian governments and their departments spend billions of dollars of your money to help more coal, gas and oil to be extracted and burned. Favourable decisions include:

Meanwhile, drought and extreme temperatures are fast becoming the new normal and annual carbon emissions were up by 0.6% in 2018, driven mainly by gas export facilities.

So how has the fossil fuel industry come to enjoy such a cosy relationship with our politicians? A trawl of the latest political donations data, released on 1 February, offers some clues.

[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”false”]Fossil fuel donations up 32%[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://www.marketforces.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/political-donations-2019-graphic.png” alt=”political donations 2019 top 10″ link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” _label=”Classic Row 3″ style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]

In 2017-18, fossil fuel companies donated $1,277,933 to the ALP, Liberal and National parties. This was up 32% from $968,343 in 2016-17 ($1.03 million in 2015-16).

Yet given Australia’s reputation for woefully inadequate political disclosure and ‘dark money’ donations, the true figure could be 5-10 times higher. Like last year, we found big discrepancies between what the major political parties disclosed, and how much the fossil fuel companies claimed to have gifted.

Leading the pack in 2018 with $237,300 worth of largesse was Woodside Energy, followed by Santos with $182,083 and Chevron Australia with $121,879.

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Notably, Chevron paid no company tax over the four financial years to 2017 and received a government handout for a gas project linked to huge increases in Australia’s CO2 emissions (see below).

Check out the table below to see how much the other top 10 fossil fuel donors splurged, and explore the full list of industry donations further down.

To help Market Forces keep producing research like this and calling out politicians and their fossil fuel paymasters, please consider becoming a regular supporter today.

[/cs_text][x_video_embed no_container=”false” type=”16:9″][/x_video_embed][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text][/cs_text][x_button size=”global” block=”true” circle=”true” icon_only=”false” href=”https://www.marketforces.org.au/get-involved/rg/?other=0″ title=”” target=”blank” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]Donate[/x_button][x_share title=”Share this Post” share_title=”” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” google_plus=”false” linkedin=”true” pinterest=”false” reddit=”true” email=”true” email_subject=”Hey, thought you might enjoy this! Check it out when you have a chance:”][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h3″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”false”]Top 10 fossil fuel donors 2017-18[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” _label=”New Item 2″ style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text style=”background-color:#433244;”]

Company ALP LIB NAT Total
Woodside $117,700 $118,500 $1,100 $237,300
Santos $85,610 $71,973 $24,500 $182,083
Chevron Australia $59,000 $51,219 $11,660 $121,879
Alinta Energy $68,500 $25,000 $25,250 $118,750
Origin Energy $54,500 $39,670 $16,425 $110,595
Caltex $44,138 $52,769 $0 $96,907
Minerals Council of Australia $41,200 $43,250 $10,450 $94,900
Cartwheel Resources $0 $52,864 $0 $52,864
Senex Energy $36,500 $15,400 $0 $51,900
The Trustee for St Baker Family Trust $0 $50,000 $0 $50,000

[/cs_text][x_accordion class=”accordionDarkPurple”][x_accordion_item title=”See how this compares with the top 10 fossil fuel donors in 2016-17″ open=”false” style=”background:#433244″]

Company ALP LIB NAT Total
Woodside $135,500 $127,700 $16,600 $279,800
Wesfarmers $33,000 $165,000 $0 $198,000
Origin Energy $55,710 $33,539 $12,925 $102,174
Santos $35,321 $35,725 $28,670 $99,716
Chevron Australia $45,208 $25,210 $11,810 $82,228
Minerals Council of Australia $6,700 $31,945 $18,700 $57,345
Whitehaven Coal $0 $30,000 $0 $30,000
Aurizon $22,320 $0 $6,600 $28,920
Caltex Australia $20,912 $0 $5,130 $26,042
Asciano $22,000 $0 $0 $22,000

[/x_accordion_item][/x_accordion][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ _label=”Section 8″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_element_content_area _id=”29″ ][x_button type=”real” shape=”rounded” size=”global” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”http://superswitch.org.au/” title=”” target=”blank” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]Are your retirement savings invested in these fossil fuel companies? Visit Super Switch to find out and take action![/x_button][x_custom_headline level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]What about the rest?[/x_custom_headline][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]

The table below lists donations made by fossil fuel companies to major Australian political parties in the 2017-18 financial year. What we found astonishing was not just the scale of donations, but the discrepancies between what donors and parties actually reported. The total discrepancy in reporting came to over half a million dollars ($552,923)!

[/cs_text][x_accordion class=”accordionDarkPurple”][x_accordion_item title=”Total donations by fossil fuel companies and lobby groups to political parties, 2017-18″ open=”true”]

Party Donor Donations disclosed by party Donations disclosed by company
ALP
Alinta Servco Pty Ltd $3,000 $68,500
APA Group $3,850 NA
APPEA $25,075 NA
Aurizon $11,000 NA
Australian Drilling Industry Association $1,350 NA
Brian Flannery $2,000 NA
Caltex Australia Limited $19,800 $44,138
Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia $13,500 NA
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd $34,550 $59,000
Energy Developments Pty Ltd $5,480 NA
Mineral Resources Limited $3,000 NA
Minerals Council of Australia $40,500 $41,200
Origin Energy $38,500 $54,500
Qld Resources Council $5,500 NA
Santos $77,260 $85,610
Senex Energy $36,500 $20,000
Woodside Energy $110,000 $117,700
TOTAL $430,865 $490,671
LIB
Adani Mining Pty Ltd NA $35,000
Alinta Servco Pty Ltd NA $25,000
Brian Flannery $20,000 $20,000
Caltex Australia Limited $27,500 $52,769
Cartwheel Resources $36,000 $52,864
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd NA $51,219
Minerals Council of Australia $27,500 $43,250
Origin Energy $27,500 $39,670
Santos $42,500 $71,973
Senex Energy $15,400 $15,400
The Trustee for St Baker Family Trust $50,000 $50,000
Whitehaven Coal Limited $25,000 $35,000
Woodside Energy $118,500 $8,500
TOTAL $381,400 $610,645
NAT
Alinta Servco Pty Ltd NA $25,250
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd NA $11,660
Minerals Council of Australia NA $10,450
Origin Energy NA $16,425
Santos NA $24,500
Woodside Energy NA $1,100
TOTAL $0 $89,385
TOTAL FOSSIL FUELS $812,265 $1,190,678

[/x_accordion_item][/x_accordion][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ _label=”Money well spent and Chevron” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” _label=”Classic Row 1″ style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Money well spent?
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At Origin Energy’s 2017 AGM, shareholders asked the board why Origin pays more to attend political functions than its ASX peers, and why can’t it influence policy outside of such events. Chairman Gordon Cairns responded that the state of energy policy was largely due to their influence, and it was “money well spent”!

Given that Australia’s energy policy is nothing short of a train wreck, Origin Energy taking credit for it speaks volumes about the intention of its political lobbying. No wonder  shareholders at its 2018 AGM voted in record numbers for Origin to review its membership of anti-climate lobbying groups such as the APPEA and Queensland Resources Council, which both feature on our political donations list.

[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Chevron: the worst of a bad bunch?[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text _order=”0″ class=”cs-ta-justify”]

Perhaps one of Australia’s most egregious examples of corporate fossil fuel behaviour is Chevron. It paid zero company tax in Australia over the four years to 2017 according to the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data.

Meanwhile Chevron Australia gave $444,893 to Australia’s major political parties over the same period. The latest donations data shows it gave $121,879 in FY2018.

In 2017, Chevron was ordered to pay more than $300 million in taxes after being pursued by the ATO. Jason Ward from the Tax Justice Network told the ABC: “It sends a clear message to Chevron and other multinationals that these tax dodging schemes won’t be allowed any longer.”

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Chevron’s influence is having a direct impact on our climate too – half of Australia’s annual CO2 emissions increase in 2018 has been linked to a failed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at Chevron’s Gorgon LNG project in Western Australia. This so-called ‘Gorgon Carbon Dioxide Injection project’ is backed by a $60 million federal government direct subsidy  paid for by your tax dollars. 

[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ _label=”Party vs Donor Disclosures” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]Why is donations disclosure such a mess?[/x_custom_headline][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify” style=”margin-top:15px;”]

The discrepancies in donations reported by donors and parties is the tip of the iceberg. Australia’s political disclosure laws are incredibly lax, so much so that in 2018 they were the subject of a Senate inquiry and a damning report by the Grattan Institute. The consequences of our pathetic legislation are many:

  • Delayed reporting: learning about donations up to 18 months after they’re made
  • Party and donor returns not reconciling
  • Lack of standardisation of donor names
  • Donations hidden in associated entities
  • Donors can ‘split’ donations into small amounts that parties don’t have to disclose

All this adds to the ever-growing distrust that Australians have in our political system. It must be asked whether companies are making donations for access to politicians or to influence policy outcomes?

[/cs_text][x_blockquote cite=”Pezzey, Mazouz & Jotzo, 2010″ type=”left”]”Small groups of carbon-intensive firms, who would inevitably suffer most under a sound, national-interest policy proposal, were able to lobby much more powerfully than large groups like taxpayers or consumers, and arguably changed the proposal into something which better protects their special interests.”[/x_blockquote][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ _label=”Full Lists” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false”]How do the numbers compare to previous years?[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” _label=”New Item 2″ style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]

The tables below contain all donations we were able to compile for the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 financial years. If you know of other donation sources, please send us an email at [email protected]

[/cs_text][x_accordion class=”accordionSunsetPurple”][x_accordion_item title=”Total donations by fossil fuel companies and lobby groups to political parties, 2016-17″ open=”false”]

Malcolm Turnbull’s personal donation of $1.75 million during the 2016 Federal election may have grabbed all the headlines, but the ongoing contributions to political parties by Australia’s largest fossil fuel companies may explain why our climate policies are so appallingly weak.

Fossil fuel companies donated $968,343 to the ALP, Liberal and National parties in 2016-17, which was slightly down from the $1.03m donated in 2015-16 and $1.94m in 2014-15 (which was also a Federal election year). Woodside Energy once again led the pack with $279,800, followed by Wesfarmers with $198,000 and Origin Energy with $102,174.

Party Donor Donations disclosed by party Donations disclosed by company
ALP
Adani Mining Pty Ltd 2,200 NA
APA Group 1,100 NA
APPEA 12,350 NA
Asciano 22,000 NA
Aurizon Operations Limited 11,000 22,320
Caltex Australia Limited 12,500 20,912
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd 21,500 45,208
Energy Developments Limited 6,600 5,000
Minerals Council of Australia NA 6,700
Northern Oil 3,850 NA
Origin Energy 40,260 55,710
Qld Resources Council 5,500 NA
Santos Limited 29,260 35,321
South32 2,500 NA
St Baker Energy Innovation Fund 2,200 NA
Sunset Power International Pty Ltd 3,500 NA
The Chamber of Minerals & Energy of WA 2,000 NA
Wesfarmers Limited 33,000 NA
Woodside Energy 110,000 135,500
TOTAL 321,320 326,671
LIB
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd NA 25,210
Energy Developments Pty Ltd NA 318
Minerals Council of Australia NA 31,945
Origin Energy NA 33,539
Santos Limited NA 35,725
Wesfarmers Limited 150,000 165,000
Whitehaven Coal Limited NA 30,000
Woodside Energy Limited 110,000 127,700
TOTAL 260,000 449,437
NAT
Aurizon Holdings Ltd NA 6,600
Caltex Australia Limited NA 5,130
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd NA 11,810
Minerals Council of Australia NA 18,700
Origin Energy NA 12,925
Santos Limited NA 28,670
Woodside Energy Limited NA 16,600
TOTAL NA 100,435
TOTAL FOSSIL FUELS 581,320 876,543

[/x_accordion_item][/x_accordion][x_accordion class=”accordionDarkPurple”][x_accordion_item title=”Total donations by fossil fuel companies and lobby groups to political parties, 2015-16″ open=”false”]

Company Recipient Party Disclosed Donor Disclosed
APA Group ALP $10,492 nil
Arrow Energy Limited ALP $1,200 nil
Asciano Limited ALP $44,000 nil
Aurizon Holdings Limited ALP $21,000 $40,684
Aurizon Holdings Limited LIB nil $34,965
Aurizon Holdings Limited NAT nil $55,000
Caltex Australia Limited ALP nil $19,000
Caltex Australia Limited NAT nil $17,280
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd ALP $13,200 $44,950
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd LIB nil $53,365
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd NAT nil $19,910
Energy Developments ALP $1,100 nil
ERM Power ALP $1,200 nil
Glencore Australia Holdings ALP $30,000 $30,000
Glencore Australia Holdings LIB $15,000 $15,620
Minerals Council of Australia ALP nil $4,450
Minerals Council of Australia LIB nil $26,600
Minerals Council of Australia NAT nil $2,200
Origin Energy ALP $11,000 $22,508
Origin Energy LIB nil $19,755
Origin Energy NAT nil $440
Peabody Energy Australia ALP $1,650 nil
Queensland Resources Council ALP $5,500 nil
Queensland Coal Investments Pty Ltd NAT $55,000 $58,000
Santos Limited ALP $38,710 $62,627
Santos Limited LIB $27,500 $63,357
Santos Limited NAT nil $6,600
Southern Oil Refining Pty Ltd NAT $14,000 $21,000
St Baker Enterprise Pty Ltd LIB $16,500 nil
Wesfarmers Ltd LIB $35,000 $35,000
Whitehaven Coal LIB $22,000 $22,000
Woodside Energy Ltd ALP $123,200 $123,500
Woodside Energy Ltd LIB $125,000 $126,980

On top of these company and lobby group donations, Kostas Constantinou, an Oil Search board member donated $50,000 to the Liberal party.[/x_accordion_item][/x_accordion][x_accordion class=”accordionSunsetPurple”][x_accordion_item title=”Total donations by fossil fuel companies and lobby groups to political parties, 2014-15″ open=”false”]

Company Recipient Party Disclosed Donor Disclosed
Adani Mining ALP $5500 nil
AGL ALP $19,800 $24,840
AGL NAT nil $2000
AGL LIB nil $11,200
Alinta Energy ALP $6600 nil
APA Group ALP $4433 nil
APPEA ALP $18,755 nil
Asciano ALP $44,000 $64,000
Aurizon ALP $25,514 $8674
Aurizon LIB nil $18,260
Australian Mines and Metals Association ALP $2000 nil
Beach Energy LIB $55,000 nil
Caltex Australia NAT nil $1050
Caltex Australia LIB nil $23,705
Caltex Australia ALP nil $1650
Chevron NAT $18,150 $2330
Chevron ALP $15,950 $36,290
Chevron LIB nil $12,030
Energy Developments ALP $4800 $5900
Energy Developments LIB $15,000 $14,150
Energy Supply Association of Australia ALP $8500 nil
ERM Power ALP $4173 nil
Glencore ALP $10,000 nil
Hancock Coal ALP $22,000 $22,000
Hancock Prospecting NAT nil $22,000
Linc Energy LIB $25,000 nil
Minerals Council of Australia ALP $10,000 nil
Origin Energy ALP $49,950 $70,380
Origin Energy NAT nil $5170
Origin Energy LIB $49,950 $57,730
Qld Resources Council ALP $1200 nil
Queensland Coal Investments NAT $22,000 nil
Queensland Coal Investments LIB $16,500 nil
Santos ALP $57,166 $82,483
Santos NAT nil $23,320
Santos LIB $27,500 $62,939
Woodside Energy ALP $112,600 $111,100
Woodside Energy NAT nil $18,800
Woodside Energy LIB $127,000 $136,920

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