Wealthy entrepreneur Clive Palmer dominates political party donations

The man who claims to be Australia’s richest person, mining baron Clive Palmer, has emerged as Australia’s biggest political donor, spending more than $800,000 in 2008-09.

Palmer, a former National party associate whose largesse went to the Liberal and National parties, is one of a number of wealthy entrepreneurs to spend up big on political donations, including Frank Lowy’s, Harry Triguboff and Ric Stowe, whose coal mining company Griffin Coal collapsed at the start of this year.

Lowy’s shopping centre giant Westfield Corporation spent more than $230,000 on political donations, with a major donations of $100,000 to both the Australian Labour Party and the Liberals.

Robert Gerard, former Reserve Bank Governor and Adelaide businessman, donated more than $100,000, mainly to the Liberal’s South Australian division.

Springfield Land Corporation, 75% owned by Queensland property developer Maha Sinnathamby (valued at $771 million, according to BRW) spent just over $93,000 on donations to the Queensland branches of the ALP and Liberal Party.

Sydney’s billionaire apartment king, Harry Triguboff, spent just under $95,000, spread evenly between both sides of politics.

Toga Holdings, the hospitality group owned by Charlotte and Ervin Vidor (valued at $445 million by BRW) spent $100,000, all of which went to the ALP.

Manildra, the wheat and sugar company owned by Dick Honan (valued at $275 million) spent an impressive $174,000, spread across the ALP, Liberal and National parties.

One surprising name on the donor registry is that of Ric Stowe’s private company Devereaux Holding, which spent just under $95,000, split evenly between the ALP and the Liberals.

Stowe has had a shocking start to the year, with the collapse of coal mining company Griffin Coal and a number of forced property sales.

Other notable wealthy entrepreneurs to make donations include the Ingham family ($50,000 for the Liberal Party through Ingham Enterprises), Harold Mitchell ($50,000 for the Liberals) and Sidney Baillieu Myer ($36,500 for the Liberal Party).