Experts warn of electoral law ‘loophole’ after claims Hancock Prospecting funds ended up with Liberal party

The ABC reported mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s company, Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd, was behind $150,000 in funds paid to the Liberal party via a third-party entity known as the Sydney Mining Club. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Transparency experts have warned of a “huge loophole” in the nation’s donation disclosure laws following allegations that undeclared payments from Hancock Prospecting flowed to the Liberal party.

The ABC reported on Friday that mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s company, Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd, was behind $150,000 in funds paid to the Liberal party via a third-party entity known as the Sydney Mining Club (SMC).