Hancock Prospecting declared $150,000 donation 444 days late, but AEC won't say if they're investigating

Under the Commonwealth Electoral Act, gifts to a third party intended to benefit a political party must be treated as a gift to the political party. (AAP: Kelly Barnes/ABC News)

Gina Rinehart's company Hancock Prospecting has declared a $150,000 political donation more than a year after the legal deadline, following the ABC's revelation the funds were sent to the Liberal Party via a third party.

Hancock Prospecting made its official declaration to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) just two days after the ABC asked a series of questions — and 444 days after the legal deadline of November 17, 2021.