Just 15 MPs and senators lodge political donation financial disclosure reports to Australian Electoral Commission

Donation returns lodged to the Australian Electoral Commission show 11 members of the House of Representatives and four senators lodged disclosure claims for the 2020-21 financial year.

Independent Helen Haines lodged the biggest claim, with 282 donations totalling to $70,066, followed by Labor MP Anne Aly, who disclosed 10 donations at a value of $12,481.

Queensland Liberal MP Andrew Laming received $7500 across 41 donations, while Tasmanian independent Andrew Willkie lodged 12 donations totalling $4265.

The remaining seven MPs and four senators lodged returns of no donations made.

The commission said a number of politicians return "nil" lodgements, despite not being obliged.

All three ACT MPs and Labor senator Katy Gallagher lodged nil disclosures to the commission, with the applications all submitted by ACT Labor secretary Ash van Dijk.

Transparency laws only require a donation greater than $14,300 to be disclosed.

A number of donations are also made directly to political parties by third parties.

Donations made directly to MPs and senators are separate to the donations made to political parties.

Legislation amendments brought in during December restrict politicians from receiving foreign gifts or donations over $1000.

There is also a new register for significant third party returns following the changes, which make it mandatory for political campaigners to disclose funds.

The new register shows $25.6 million over 10 political campaigners was disclosed to the commission.