Full Breakdown
Datacentre Companies’ Political Payments Spark Scrutiny in Australia
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Since 2021, major datacentre operators have made financial contributions to Australian political parties. Amazon Web Services disclosed a $46,500 payment to the federal Labor branch on June 28 and a $33,000 payment on June 26, part of a total of $538,000 paid to Labor and Liberal branches over six years. Amazon also contributed more than $200,000 in membership fees to the Labor Business Forum since mid-2021. Macquarie Technology Group paid $38,100 to New South Wales Labor and $37,400 to the Liberals between mid-2021 and mid-2025, alongside earlier donations such as $3,000 to the NSW Liberal party on 25 March and $15,000 in January 2022. The company’s cumulative payments to state and federal Liberal and Labor branches total $2.2 million since 2000. Viridis Green datacentres scheduled a $20,000 donation to the Queensland Liberal National Party for 20 October 2025.
Background and Recent Deals
The Albanese government announced a $2 billion contract with Amazon Web Services in 2024 to build three classified datacentres for intelligence data storage. In the weeks surrounding the announcement, Amazon’s disclosed payments to Labor’s fundraising vehicle increased, prompting concerns about “cash for access” practices. Macquarie’s plans for the IC3 Super West facility were disclosed on 15 July, a project that could be fast-tracked under new “state-significant development” rules allowing ministerial approval. A sustainability and emissions report is scheduled for completion on 26 October, while a $1,980 payment is slated for late October to secure a lunch meeting with Ryde’s Labor mayor and state leader.
Scale of Contributions
- Amazon: $538,000 total to major parties; > $200,000 in membership fees.
- Macquarie: $75,500 to NSW Labor and Liberals (mid-2021 – mid-2025) plus $2.2 million total since 2000.
- Viridis Green: $20,000 scheduled donation in 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
Amazon’s spokesperson asserted that the payments to fundraising forums are unrelated to public investment projects. A spokesperson for Ryde’s mayor confirmed that all donations were reported in accordance with requirements. A NSW Liberal party spokesperson said the party disclosed all donations per its obligations.
Criticism & Opposition
Transparency International Australia’s CEO, Clancy Moore, warned that “datacentres are the new extractive industries but [are] using the old techniques of cash for access payments and full-scale lobbying to influence our political system.” Abigail Boyd, Greens MP leading a NSW parliamentary inquiry, argued that “multibillion-dollar companies don’t make donations to major political parties for fun; they do it to acquire access, influence and good favour.” Catherine Williams questioned, “There is a legitimate question to be answered about the purpose of any entity paying for party forum membership, or to attend political party/candidate events, if it is not to obtain access and influence that is beyond the reach of ordinary Australians.”