Council
29 October, 2025
Dyson led independents in campaign funds, figures show
NEW data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has shown Independent candidate for Wannon Alex Dyson received almost $2.2 million in donations through the 2025 Election the most of any independent or third-party candidate.
The figures showed Mr Dyson’s campaign for Wannon received a total of $2,186,936 in cash and in-kind donations, the highest among the candidates in the data released.
Mr Dyson said the influx of donations was a positive achievement after his 2019 campaign was self-funded and his second campaign in 2022 raised below $200,000.
“The response was enormous,” he said.
“We had 1786 cash donations averaging $674, the majority of them from south west Victorians chipping in what they could,” he said.
“Add these to the in-kind donations, or physical contributions – the value of which is added after the election – and we cracked the $2 million mark.
“I’m very proud we finally gave south west Victoria the competitive campaign it deserved and injected a lot of these funds into the local economy.”
Mr Dyson said it did not come as a shock as he had published cash donations on his website in real time, wanting to highlight his commitment to transparency.
The data release does not include the figures from political parties such as Labor or Liberals, which will not be released until February.
“As a believer in political integrity and transparency, I was the only Wannon candidate to reveal my cash donations in real time, whereas Dan Tehan and the Liberal Party continue to keep their donations and spending a mystery,” he said.
Despite the influx of cash for the independent campaign, Mr Dyson was unable to cut into the lead of incumbent Dan Tehan and Wannon comfortably remained a Liberal stronghold.
Nevertheless, he said he was proud of his grassroots campaign in which more than 2000 volunteers came on board to offer alternative representation for Wannon.
“Despite being identical in spirit, my third federal campaign to bring about positive change in the community was certainly a marked increase in size from my first in 2019, where my entire budget was $5000 of my own money and the help of friends,” he said.
“After being a safe Liberal seat for more than 70 years, Wannon is now marginal, and I hope that it helps turnaround the distinct lack of fairness in federal funding for our ageing roads, sporting clubs and infrastructure.
“Raising $2.2 million is not even going to touch the sides when it comes to the upgrades to local services needed to put us on par with the rest of the country.”
Mr Dyson also responded to AEC data suggesting $1.1 million in funds raised had been left unspent, saying the figures were an AEC error.
“Unfortunately, while our total donation amount of $2,186,936 was reported correctly, it appears an administrative error has meant our campaign in-kind donations were listed as income, rather than electoral expenses incurred by others,” he said.
“Our total expenditure should read $1,969,775 with a balance of $217,161, which will remain to help future Independent candidates stand up for the community.
“I’m liaising with the AEC to ensure it is correctly reflected in their figures, and I apologise for any confusion caused.”
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