https://www.copyright link/rear-window/labor-s-top-fundraiser-turns-lobbyist-20240401-p5fgkbAs director of the Federal Labor Business Forum until August last year, Kate Dykes spent 12 years as the all-important cog in the Labor fundraising machine.
If big businesses wanted Labor’s ear, they needed to be members, coughing up at least $33,000 a year for the privilege. And if politicians didn’t feel like wasting an evening at the Great Hall (before Anthony Albanese banned parliamentary fundraising) or at a private dining room, Dykes was the one telling them it was important. Generally, they listened.
For Labor, the road to Parliament House runs through the Federal Labor Business Forum. Alex Ellinghausen
The FLBL raised $5 million in Dykes’ last year leading it, and that kind of cash buys serious influence.
Her new employer must be hoping old habits die hard. See, Dykes is the newest Labor-affiliated principal to join the increasingly high-powered TG Public Affairs, adding to a red roster headlined by former parliamentarian Stephen Conroy and Anthony Albanese’s ex-chief of staff Michael Choueifate.
TG’s clients include Optus, Woolworths, Amazon and plenty of other politically exposed entities. And now they’ll have Dykes’ advice on dealing with the Labor government her efforts helped put in place.
