The Liberal Party received nearly four times more in political donations than the ALP in the run-up to the federal election last September, according to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

Figures for the last financial year show the Liberal Party's national and state divisions received more than $13 million in donations, while Labor was given $3.6 million.

Ros Packer, widow of the late media magnate Kerry and mother to gambling tycoon James Packer, was the biggest individual donor in the 2012-2013 financial year, giving a total of $580,000 to the Liberal Party.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), which is facing allegations of links to the criminal underworld, donated substantially to Labor Party branches across Australia.

Meanwhile, just over $500,000 was donated to the Greens and the Nationals received $800,000 in donations.

Queensland businessman and new federal MP Clive Palmer donated $48,000 to Queensland's Liberal National Party before leaving to found the Palmer United Party.

Corporate donors spread money evenly

Big corporate donors are present in the declarations of both major parties: the chicken and turkey producer Inghams Enterprises found $250,000 each for Labor and the Liberals, while retail giant Westfield Limited gave $150,000 each, and ANZ bank gave $80,000 to both parties.

The information covers the 2012-13 financial year, so it does not take into account the final months of fundraising in the lead-up to the September election.

The Greens say total donations to all political parties are up over 120 per cent based on the previous financial year.

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Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon said that Julia Gillard's decision to name the election date early last year may have skewed the timing of the donations.

"It may have, but it's certainly a very large amount of money, and the bulk of it being corporate donations," she said.

Senator Rhiannon says big donations from companies can have the effect of "turning people off the political process".

"I find when these large amounts of money are handed over by corporate Australia, the public often become very cynical," she said.

"They don't think that they have much influence, and a lot of people then become quite angry about this.

"When Gina Rinehart gives $55,000 to the ALP and nearly $100,000 to the Nationals, Lachlan Murdoch gives $22,000 to the Liberals - they may be giving money as individuals, but it's certainly seen in a corporate sense.

"What's the difference between them signing the cheque personally, or if it comes from their company? In terms of how it's viewed, it's not viewed that it's healthy for democracy."

Editor's note: In the story, spokeswoman for the Greens Lee Rhiannon stated: "Gina Rinehart gives $55,000 to the ALP." The donation was from Hancock-backed company Hancock Coal Pty Ltd. A spokesman for Mrs Hancock's Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd says she does not control the company and had nothing to do with the donation.