Party think-tanks reap $600,000

Taxpayers have forked out more than $600,000 to support four think-tanks linked to the main political parties.

New figures published by the federal Finance Department show the two Liberal and Labor think-tanks - the Menzies Research Centre and the Chifley Research Centre - each received grants of $228,110 over the past year.

The department noted the funds for the two centres were to be spent on such activities as "round tables and seminars on social and political policy issues", websites, administration and research.

The Page Research Centre - which is linked to the Nationals - and the Greens Institute each received $85,642.

Among other things, The Greens Institute funding went to "supporting 'green' politics through education, action, research and debate", as well as "capacity building on green politics and skills".

The Page centre received the grant for maintaining its library, publishing books, research and redeveloping its website.