Pubs and clubs fund major parties to limit hostile crossbench (14 Mar 2025)
Article summary: The Australian Hotels Association (AHA), the peak body for pubs and hotels, plans to funnel tens of thousands of dollars to Coalition and Labor candidates facing strong independent challengers.
This "Red-Blue" election strategy, developed during a 2023 meeting of AHA leaders and corporate partners, aims to reduce the likelihood of a minority government and prevent a potentially hostile crossbench from influencing policy decisions. The decision comes as polling indicates the possibility of a Labor or Coalition minority government in the upcoming federal election, due on or before May 17.
AHA members include more than 5,000 pubs and hotels, with major corporate partners from the alcohol and gambling industries, such as Aristocrat, Carlton & United Breweries, and Diageo. Historically, the AHA has made significant political donations, contributing $170,000 ahead of the 2022 federal election—$80,000 to Labor, $60,000 to the Coalition, and the remainder to minor parties. State branches also made substantial donations, with NSW contributing $183,000 and South Australia $155,000.
The AHA's opposition to a strong crossbench stems from previous clashes over regulatory issues. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, a longtime gambling industry critic, stated that the AHA sees a power-sharing parliament as a threat to its business model. The association has particularly resisted policy proposals related to gambling reform and alcohol marketing restrictions, which have been championed by independent MPs.
In 2023, beverage giant Asahi was pressured by independents to rebrand its "Hard Solo" alcoholic drink after concerns it would appeal to minors. The move followed lobbying efforts by crossbenchers such as Kate Chaney, Kylea Tink, Sophie Scamps, and others, who have also supported a parliamentary inquiry’s recommendation to phase out all online gambling advertising over three years. The AHA fears that, in a hung parliament, independent MPs could push through strict regulations without industry consultation.
Despite previous Labor commitments to limiting gambling advertising, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reversed his stance after meeting with media, AFL, and NRL executives, who benefit financially from gambling advertisements. Wilkie likened the AHA’s influence to its past efforts in derailing his 2010-2012 poker machine deal with then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard, which was ultimately scrapped due to intense lobbying from pubs and clubs.
The business community more broadly shares concerns about minority government instability. Coal Australia, a peak lobby group for the coal industry, has also signaled an anti-independent funding strategy. CEO Stuart Bocking stated that the group would back candidates who support coal communities, arguing that a crossbench-dominated minority government would slow down decision-making and favour renewable energy interests.
Related article: Crossbench briefed on proposed gambling ad reform (21 Aug 2024)
