Reports this week reveal a cycle of donating and favouring between charities and the Liberal party.

Leading independent news outlet Michael West Media has found evidence of charities paying top dollar for dinner with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, despite the charity regulator’s guidance.

Some of the charities involved receive most of their funding from government grants.

So, charities are taking community donations and taxpayer grants and paying for time with the Premier. These funds help the Liberal party’s chances of re-election, and when it is in power, helps charities have more taxpayer money granted to them.

The website for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) suggests making political donations may harm a group’s charity status.