Companies shouldn't donate to pollies: ASA

Listed companies have been told to stop giving to political parties by a shareholders' lobby group angry that their money is spent on donations.

Australian Electoral Commission figures released last week show the Liberal Party received $13 million in declared donations in 2012/13 - compared with Labor's $3.6 million.

Pointing to 20 companies that donated last financial year, the Australian Shareholders' Association (ASA) said company heads should not spend shareholders' money on "their favourite political parties".

Westfield was targeted by the association, with the shopping centre giant giving $165,000 to the Liberal and Labor parties.

Macquarie Group gave $204,000 to the coalition and $113,000 to the ALP.

Washington H Soul Pattinson donated $252,000 to the Liberals.

"If longstanding public company chairs such as (Westfield's) Frank Lowy or (Washington H Soul Pattinson's) Robert Millner wish to financially support the political system, they should use their own personal funds rather than the resources that belong to all the shareholders of a public company," ASA chairman Ian Curry said in a statement.