Financial disclosure returns released by the Australian Electoral Commission have unveiled the significant backing received by Gilmore independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds during the 2025 federal election campaign. The data shows that the prominent climate-focused donor group Climate 200 provided substantial financial support to her bid for office.
Substantial Funding from Climate 200
According to the official records, Climate 200 donated a total of $50,976 to Ms Dezarnaulds' campaign. This contribution was part of a broader donation pool of $245,847 that she received from 239 individual donors throughout the election period. Climate 200, which describes itself as a community initiative, is widely recognised for funding Teal Independent candidates at the federal level across Australia.
Additional Support from Key Backer
In addition to the direct funding from Climate 200, Ms Dezarnaulds' campaign benefited from a separate $40,000 donation. This amount was contributed directly by Rob Keldoulis through his company, Keldoulis Investments. Mr Keldoulis is a known supporter and backer of the Climate 200 organisation, further highlighting the network of support behind the independent candidate.
Election Outcome and Campaign Transparency
In the 2025 federal election, Kate Dezarnaulds secured 8,371 first preference votes, placing her a distant third in the Gilmore electorate. The Liberal Party's Andrew Constance received 38,247 first preferences, while the eventual winner, Labor's Fiona Phillips, garnered 42,342 votes.
During her campaign, Ms Dezarnaulds was transparent about receiving support from Climate 200. She emphasised that the organisation does not dictate policy or manage campaigns, stating that her priorities are shaped solely by the concerns of the Gilmore community.
Climate 200's Broader Electoral Impact
The latest disclosures also reveal that Climate 200 donated an overall sum of $10,857,934 to various candidates throughout the last federal election. This underscores the group's substantial influence and financial clout in Australian politics, particularly in supporting independent candidates who advocate for climate action, government integrity, and accountability.
Ms Dezarnaulds reiterated her commitment to remaining answerable only to her local electorate, not to any political party or donor group. Her campaign highlighted the growing trend of community-funded independent candidates challenging traditional party structures in Australian elections.
