Australian state and federal governments have allocated $2.24 billion to a selection of 100 charities, pressure groups, and activist organizations over the past five years, according to new analysis. This funding has coincided with a 60 percent increase in annual taxpayer funding for these groups, rising from $352.5 million in 2020-21 to an estimated $564 million in 2024-25.
During the same period, Australians have faced rising living costs, with electricity prices increasing by 22.4 percent, housing costs up by 6.8 percent, and rents climbing an additional 3.6 percent. Concurrently, Australia's federal gross debt is projected to surpass $1 trillion by June of next year and reach $1.249 trillion within four years.
The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) claims this public funding supports a network of professional lobbyists advocating for policy changes, including increased refugee intake, access to puberty blockers for minors, Indigenous co-governance, and stringent climate targets. IPA Director of Research Morgan Begg stated that governments have created a "taxpayer funded feedback loop" where advocacy groups receiving public money act as government-funded lobbyists.
The IPA's report, "Stacking the Deck," analyzed Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission records and government grant documents. The five-year period under review encompasses administrations from both the Coalition and Labor parties at federal and state levels.
According to the IPA's classifications, over $1.04 billion was directed to organizations involved in diversity and multiculturalism advocacy. Public health and "nanny state" organizations received $622 million, welfare and legal advocacy groups garnered nearly $310 million, and environmental organizations received close to $170 million. Groups supporting Indigenous self-determination policies were allocated $96.6 million.
Specific examples highlighted in the report include the Refugee Council of Australia receiving over $381,000 while advocating for a doubling of the humanitarian intake. Transcend Australia received nearly $2.2 million and campaigned against the Queensland government's pause on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for individuals under 18. The Australian Council of Social Services and the Human Rights Law Centre, which together received over $110 million and $867,000 respectively, also signed a letter demanding the reversal of these restrictions.
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW received $4.7 million while opposing new or expanded coal mine developments. The Environmental Defenders Office obtained almost $12 million and has used legal challenges to contest government approvals for various projects.
IPA Research Fellow Jordan Abou-Zeid described the funding pattern as deliberate, intended to influence public debate. The report notes that the $2.24 billion figure represents total government funding received by organizations that engage in advocacy, not necessarily the amount spent directly on lobbying. Some recipient organizations also provide essential community services alongside their advocacy work. The IPA, a conservative think tank that does not receive government funding, argues that public money should not be used to support one side of political debates.