Get out, GetUp! There's a new force working quietly behind the scenes in Australian politics, linked to big money, and headed by the scion of one of Australia's wealthiest families.
When the Australian Electoral Commission releases figures on political donations this week, it will show sizeable contributions from a little-known group called Climate 200.
It's an initiative by Simon Holmes a Court, son of Australia's first billionaire, and backed by Mike Cannon-Brookes, tech entrepreneur and billionaire co-founder of Atlassian.
Climate 200 is avowedly "clean and green".
"A non-partisan, non-profit project set up to assist political candidates with a clear commitment to a science-based response to the climate emergency and to restoring integrity to politics," is Mr Holmes a Court's description.
In the lead up to the 2019 federal election, Climate 200 raised a tidy sum: nearly half a million dollars.
Most of the money went to independent candidates and crossbench candidates who support strong policy action to limit global warming and promote a transition to clean energy.
It is part of a conscious effort to try and counter the influence of the fossil fuel lobby.
"One theme keeps coming up in discussion among environmental philanthropists," Mr Holmes a Court said.
Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-29/clean-green-rich-wealthy-donors-climate-200-politicians/11647162
