The Tasmanian Labor Party received $50,000 from the controversial Victorian branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union in 2015-16.
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The Australian Electoral Commission on Wednesday disclosed all donations to political parties over the past financial year.
State Labor received $711,514 over the year including $25,000 from the Maritime Union of Australia, based in Devonport, and $30,000 from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.
It received $10,000 from the Australian Hotels Association.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said that the three federal Tasmanian Labor members elected in last year’s election got their seats thanks to the CFMEU’s largesse.
“Not only did Tasmanian Labor run a dishonest Mediscare campaign, they also accepted money from Australia’s most disreputable union branch,” he said.
Labor state secretary Stuart Benson said the party fought for working people and were proud to have the support of organisations who stood up for some of Tasmania’s lowest paid workers.
“Unions play a small part in our party’s income particularly when you compare that to the Liberal Party which is solely funded by big business,” he said.
Melbourne millionaire businessman Paul Marks donated $1.3 million to the Liberal Party, $30,000 of which went to the Tasmanian branch.
It received $40,000 from Victorian Liberal club, the Kooyong 200 Club, $32,500 from the Australian Retailers Association, $27,500 from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, and $25,000 from Pathology Australia.
The Tasmanian division recorded $2.8 million in receipts over the financial year.
The Tasmanian Greens received $130,000 from millionaire businessman Graeme Wood and $26,187 from the estate of Sister’s Beach man David Leicester.
Mr Wood donated $600,000 to the party all up – half the amount he donated to the party in 2010.
It received $666,965 in total, including $118,480 from the Australian Greens.
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie received $50,000 from businessman and human rights campaigner Ian Melrose, $25,700 from the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, and $25,000 from the Electrical Trades Union.
The Tasmanian-based Australian Recreational Fishers Party received $25,000 from the Victorian CFMEU branch and $25,000 from the national body.
Donations of less than $13,000 to political parties are not required to be disclosed by law.
