With our local MPs sending out surveys and making robocalls it's time to take a look into political messaging. Google recently included Australian political advertising in it's transparency database, however political messaging is not restricted to political parties.

A range of other organisations also engage in influencing public opinion toward or away from particular parties and candidates. The Australian Electoral Commission sees this as the publication of 'electoral matter'and requires any individual or organisation spending over $13,800 in a year to sway votes to report not only that spending but also their sources of income. Organisations that spend over half a million in a year must also register with the AEC as 'political campaigners'.

Registered charities have additional requirements regarding public advocacy due to support of political parties or candidates being seen as inconsistent with the purpose for which charities are granted tax concessions. These requirements have seen the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria investigated for campaigning in favour of Labor, however no action was ultimately taken by the Australian Charity and Not-for-Profit Commission.

Media organisations are specifically excluded from AEC reporting on political messaging despite wide-spread concerns that certain publications are functioning to directly favour specific parties.

Another major source of concern to many progressives is the heavy influence of the mining industry which resulted in the loss of at least one Prime Minister and when coupled with a compliant media, raises real concerns about the independence of Australian media.

The AEC data provides the public with insight into the sources of funding for organisations spending on political messaging. Use the flip cards or the list view to see selected organisations or click on the options button in the top menu. Click through to the donations project to see funders of each organisation.

Total spend from all organisations between 2013 & 2020 is $169,372,752