It's said money can't buy you happiness and it may not be able to buy you a seat in parliament either.

The two biggest fundraisers at the last election, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission, both failed to win a seat in parliament.

Victorian Independent Alex Dyson and New South Wales independent Carolyn "Caz" Heise became the first federal candidates listed in AEC records to attract more than $2 million in donations.

Mr Dyson unsuccessfully tried to win the seat of Wannon, held by Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan, while Ms Heise challenged Nationals MP Pat Conaghan for his seat of Cowper.

Climate 200, the fundraising vehicle backed by businessman Simon Holmes a Court, was the largest donor at the 2025 election, making 483 payments to 34 independent candidates.

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