Resources giants have tipped tens of thousands of dollars into the parties considered frontrunners in the looming battle for Secret Harbour.

A war of words erupted after questions were asked over political donations, with private companies within the resources and building sector, alongside union groups, emerging as some of the biggest donors to West Australian parties over the past two months.

In total, WA Labor has received more than $650,000 in gifted donations since July 1, data from the WA Electoral Commission shows.

That is far greater than the WA Liberals, which received just shy of $190,000.

The biggest donation gifted in that timeframe comes from Leichhardt Industrials Group, which donated $27,500 to an associated entity with the Labor Party.

Austral Limited, Hall and Prior Aged Care, and Coogee Chemicals also donated $27,500 each, but that went to the Liberals.

When Premier Roger Cook announced Georgia Tree – who has been part of the Labor Party since 2013, and spent time working in the office of federal Resources Minister Madeleine King – as the new candidate for the seat vacated by Paul Papalia in early July, her background with the resources sector, specifically as a Woodside government relations staffer, came into question.

Tree gave a direct answer to a pointed question at a press conference when asked if she was “pro-gas”, given her work history, simply replying: “Yes”.

Woodside Energy has since gifted WA Labor nearly $15,000. The company has also gifted $5000 to the Liberals.

A spokesperson said Woodside did not endorse or donate to campaign funds for any political party, politician or candidate for public office in any country.

“The events that have been publicly disclosed by the Western Australian Electoral Commission since 1 July are consistent with Woodside’s previous attendance at longstanding and established forums with political parties,” they said.

“Woodside respects the right of employees to stand for political office, and employees have done so for a range of parties at both state and federal levels.

“Any suggestion that an individual’s political candidacy influences Woodside’s engagement activities or political contributions is incorrect and inconsistent with our political donations policy and approach to political engagement.”

One Nation received far fewer donations than the major two parties, according to the commission data, with $48,000 across three separate gifts.

Grower Connect, a Manjimup-based business for wheat farmers, donated $25,000 of that amount.

The Australian Rights Coalition, a group founded by former WA Nationals MP Louise Kingston and Shooters Union WA advocate Steve Harrison, also contributed $20,000 to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

Asked to comment on the political donations his party has received since the start of the financial year, WA Labor State Secretary Mark Reed launched a broadside at One Nation, considered the biggest threat to Labor’s hold on the seat.

“One Nation cannot handle scrutiny,” he said.

“They cannot handle scrutiny of their candidates, scrutiny of their policies or scrutiny of their finances.

“Their finances are opaque, and they have refused to announce any policies during this byelection.”

Reed claimed WA Labor was the only party that consistently complied with funding and disclosure requirements.

“If One Nation can’t front up with a plan, if they can’t act responsibly, then how can they be trusted to govern our state?” he asked.

WA One Nation leader Rod Caddies returned serve, accusing WA Labor of relying on “mates and backroom deals”.

“One Nation complies with every disclosure requirement,” he said.

“Mr Reed is just confused because he can’t imagine a party that actually runs on small-dollar donations instead of mates and backroom deals.

“That said, I’m more than happy to bring in an independent auditor to examine both sets of books, respecting donor privacy, and see who is actually complying with the electoral laws. The ball’s in his court.”

WA Liberal Party director Simon Morgan said the party was very happy with the generous contributions its candidate Ryan Robertson had received from the community to support his campaign in Secret Harbour.

“Everyone who meets Ryan recognises that he is the real deal – energetic, genuine and deeply committed to service,” Morgan said.

Labor in ‘fight of our lives’ in Secret Harbour

On Wednesday, Cook said he had been “worried” about Secret Harbour “all the way along” since announcing the byelection.

“Byelections are tough for governments. They are even tougher for third-term governments,” he said.

“We’re in the fight of our lives and I think people have to understand that we could be in a situation where One Nation gets their first-ever seat in the Lower House.

“We know this because Basil Zempilas has waved the white flag. He wants a One Nation candidate to be successful in Secret Harbour, not his own candidate – he’s already conceded that he’s not going to win that seat. He’s not even campaigning for it.

“People have to understand if you vote for Liberal, you’re really voting for One Nation.”

According to the WA Electoral Commission, for the 2026-27 financial year, political contributions exceeding the specified amount of $2900, either as a single contribution or combined contributions from the same donor during the financial year, must be disclosed. This amount is indexed annually.

A WAEC spokesperson said there were no specific restrictions on how donated funds may be used as long as they comply with electoral expenditure caps.

“In Western Australia, political contributions (including donations) above the disclosure threshold must be disclosed to the WA Electoral Commission,” they said.

“During an election period, including a byelection, disclosures must be made by the end of the next business day following receipt.

“Outside of an election period, disclosures must be made within seven days. For this byelection, the election period runs from 13 July to 6pm on 29 August.”