The son of a man dubbed Australia's first billionaire has emerged as one of the biggest financial backers of Helen Haines' winning election campaign this year.
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Simon Holmes a Court, whose father was businessman and entrepreneur Robert Holmes a Court, has built a reputation as an advocate for tackling climate change and launched the Climate 200 group.
It was under this group's name that Mr Holmes a Court donated $35,000 to the election campaign of Dr Haines as she took on the task of succeeding the outgoing Indi MP Cathy McGowan.
"The company was established in April, this year, to help the campaigns of election candidates supporting a science-based response to the climate emergency, and transparency in politics," a spokesman for Dr Haines said.
The donation was made in two payments - $10,000 in late April and $25,000 early in May just before the election.
The funding commitment was tied to Dr Haines' pledge to make tackling climate change a top priority if she was elected to represent Indi.
It came after the announcement of her candidacy on January 12 where she said "climate is one of the biggest business opportunities we have as regional Australians - it's not just a crisis, it's an opportunity".
But Dr Haines has revealed she and husband Phil Haines also donated $5000 each of their personal money to the campaign.
Donors gave a total of $421,011 to support the campaign including cash donations of $284,891 from 997 supporters.
Five people working on the campaign also donated their time and expertise, worth a total of $136,120.
These were Mr Haines, the Haines' son Nick, who used his background in communications to help with strategic campaigning; Jamie Kronborg who ran the campaign's media and communications services and has since started working for the MP; Amanda Aldous, who did the graphic design work campaign materials; and Sara Hardie, who ran the campaign office administration.
Dr Haines said none of the 1700 volunteers who staffed and supported the campaign were paid.
