Heise’s $2m election spend the highest in the country

FIGURES released by the Australian Electoral Commission this week show a candidate’s donations and marketing spend are no guarantee of success.

Financial disclosure return information shows that Cowper Independent Caz Heise spent $2 million on her Federal Election campaign – more than any other candidate in the country.

Ms Heise received $2.1 million from 55 donors to take on incumbent Nationals MP Pat Conaghan in the 3 May poll.

The amount was second only to the $2.2 million donated to the Independent candidate for Wannon, Alex Dyson, by 1786 donors.

The amount Mr Dyson spent on his campaign is currently being reviewed and may yet claim the top spot.

Both Independents were unsuccessful.

Re-elected Cowper MP Pat Conaghan said he was outspent “by more than two to one”.

“Caz Heise and her Climate 200 partners spent close to $2 million in their attempt to unseat the National Party, making the Caz 4 Cowper campaign the most expensive Teal campaign in the country in 2025. 

“Additionally, Caz took out the title for largest individual candidate donation from Climate 200.”

While Ms Heise could not be reached for comment, her campaign Operations and Finance Director Damien Attwood told News Of The Area that her loss was indicative of a broader issue.

“It was not just specific to [Caz], it’s a broader issue with the Independent movement,” he said.

“It did not reflect the values and needs of the region.

“Throwing millions of dollars at a seat, and more broadly across the country, is not the answer.

“The [movement] is at a crossroads and needs to reflect.”

Financial returns for all candidates, Senate groups and election donors are now available on the AEC’s Transparency Register – at transparency.aec.gov.au.

The returns cover donations, electoral expenditure, and discretionary benefits.

They do not show how much was spent by candidates endorsed by a registered political party – including Mr Conaghan.

He is among the candidates who can submit a “nil return” and roll their reporting into the National Party’s transactions, which will be available for public inspection on Monday 2 February 2026.

By Sue STEPHENSON