Australian political parties received a record $131 million in donations before the 2025 election. Companies and individuals linked to technology donated more than $13 million to Labor, Liberal, and Greens. Mining, resources, and fossil fuel groups gave over $10 million, rising to $62 million with Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy included. Palmer alone gave $53 million to his Trumpet of Patriots party. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) data for 2024-25 show a total declared donations of $131 million, but actual donations are likely higher due to undisclosed amounts below the $16,900 reporting threshold, known as "dark money." Mining lobby group Coal Australia gave $5.4 million, mostly to campaign groups attacking Labor, Greens, and teal independents. Hancock Prospecting gave almost $900,000 to the rightwing Advance group. The Minerals Council of Australia donated $1 million to Labor, Liberals, Nationals, and the Jacqui Lambie Network. Other resource firms like Adani Mining, Inpex, Santos, Tamboran, Ampol, and Chevron contributed funds across parties. Tech benefactors were major donors too. Pamela Wall gave $5.2 million to South Australia's Liberals. Atlassian founders Scott Farquhar ($1.5m) and Mike Cannon-Brookes ($1.3m) supported Climate 200, backing independents. DoorDash donated $877,000 split between Liberals and Labor. Gambling firms Sportsbet, Tabcorp, and The Lottery Corporation gave over $100,000 each to major parties. Edward James Craven, Stake casino co-founder, gave $315,000 to Labor Victoria. Mathematician and gambler Duncan Turpie donated $1.05 million to the Greens. Banks like Macquarie, Westpac, and Commonwealth Bank contributed around $200,000 altogether. Cryptocurrency firms Coinbase and Swyftx also gave over $200,000. Consulting giants KPMG, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young each donated over $100,000. Alcohol groups Endeavour and Lion gave around $130,000-184,000. Sydney nightlife owner Justin Hemmes’s Hemmes Trading donated $312,000 to the Liberals. Australian Hotels Association branches gave major donations—NSW $858,000, South Australia $333,000, federal $314,000—spread across parties. Despite transparency rules, more than $138 million in donations remain undisclosed due to low reporting thresholds, highlighting concerns about "dark money" in Australian politics before the election.