The Australian Computer Society and Tech Council of Australia both favoured Labor over the Coalition in declared donations for the 2025 election year, according to Australian Electoral Commission disclosures released 2 February.
ACS, representing tech workers, gave Labor $55,000 compared to less than $18,000 to the Liberals. TCA, representing a mix of global and local firms, also donated more to Labor, though specific amounts weren't disclosed. This marks a notable shift for a sector that historically leaned Coalition.
The fine print matters here
The data covers donations up to June 2025 - a 19-month lag that's drawn criticism from transparency advocates. Real-time disclosure for donations over $5,000 doesn't start until mid-2026, meaning most 2025 election activity remains opaque.
Donors only report sums above $16,900, creating significant disclosure gaps. The total disclosed: parties spent $489 million in 2024-25, with the Coalition outspending Labor $212 million to $160 million.
What this signals
The tech sector's shift likely reflects policy alignment. Labor's positions on gig economy regulation contrast sharply with Coalition stances - note DoorDash's $785,000 to Liberals versus $3,000 to Labor.
Other tech firms hedged: Optus split nearly evenly ($41,000 Labor, $43,000 Coalition). Coinbase went $100,000 Labor, $130,000 Liberals. Sportsbet donated $71,500 to each major party.
For context: mining remains the bigger player (Coal Australia: $4 million), but tech lobby groups shifting allegiance is worth watching. These organisations signal where the sector sees its interests landing.
The pattern to watch
This is one election cycle. The real question is whether 2028 donations - when we eventually see them in 2030 - show the same trend. History suggests tech money follows perceived policy advantage more than ideology.
Transparency advocates note the current system makes real-time decision-making impossible. By the time we see who funded what, the election's long over and the policies are set.