Despite the former union leader's anti-big business rhetoric and stark policy differences on tax and industrial relations, corporate Australia is coming to the realisation that Mr Shorten may be in charge of the country by next year.

Blue chip companies behind the scenes are escalating their engagement with Mr Shorten and shadow treasurer Chris Bowen, aware Labor may soon be regulating their businesses.

"The big end of town is experienced enough to know that while there's anti-business rhetoric out there, people know the political trend is heading in one direction and they need to start to build some bridges," said one external adviser to companies.

Mining giant BHP has hired Mr Shorten's media adviser, Sam Casey.

Opinion polls show the Morrison government is trailing Labor, putting Mr Shorten in prime position to be the country's next prime minister.

He has run an aggressive campaign against some big companies, bashing the scandal-plagued banks and rejecting the government's corporate tax cuts.

Liberal-aligned strategists and lobbyists are worried the party will struggle to attract resources – both donations and personnel – to fight Labor and trade unions at the next election.

Ousted leader Malcolm Turnbull was the party's second largest financial contributor at the 2016 election, donating $1.75 million.


Julie Bishop, who resigned as foreign affairs minister in the wake of Mr Turnbull's dumping, has also been a large fundraiser in the resources-rich state of Western Australia.

Some Liberals noticed business people closely networking with Labor shadow ministers Anthony Albanese, Brendan O'Connor and Kim Carr at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry function in Canberra last Tuesday night.

Mr O'Connor, shadow minister for employment and workplace relations, told business people there would be a "tripartite" relationship between business, unions and a Labor government.

Meanwhile, a new report by the Grattan Institute, Who's in the room? Access and influence in Australian politics, calls for stricter laws and better disclosure of political donations, lobbyists and government-ministers-turned-lobbyists.

Co-author Danielle Wood said the analysis showed industries "ramped up" political donations when they were facing a potential regulatory change.

The gambling, salary packaging and alcohol industries were examples of sectors that had increased their donations to political parties when they were in the "cross hairs" of government and regulators in recent years, she said.

"Corporates in highly regulated industries donate the largest share, followed by unions," the report said.

Mining, property construction, gambling, manufacturing and financial sectors, dominated corporate donations, it said.

Business people with direct knowledge of the dinner with Mr Shorten described it as standard operating procedure which business does with senior politicians from both major parties.

A Labor source said business was keen to engage with Labor and "we're keen to work with them on our plans".