The votes have been totted up, and now the Electoral Commission is doling out the dosh. The initial public funding figures were announced by the AEC yesterday, with seven parties and 15 independent candidates getting lucky.

Public funding payments are calculated using an indexed sum per first preference vote. At the 2007 federal election, each first preference vote was worth 210.027 cents. In order to obtain election funding a candidate must obtain at least 4% of the first preference vote.

The ALP are the big winners. They’ll be taking home a hefty $20,922,325.51. The Liberals get $17,222,359.78, with the country cousins picking up an additional $3,076,663.58 and the Top End lot from the CLP $160,719.91. Vegan restaurants and dope dealers will enjoy a bonus once the Greens cash their cheque for $4,148,615.11.

Family First get $133 965.51 and La Hanson gets lucky, with Pauline’s United Australia Party pocketing $202,440.72. Uncharitable souls have already suggested that serial candidate Hanson only runs nowadays for the money, but a number of independents have also done well.

South Australian Senator elect Nick Xenophon will have plenty to put through the pokies after getting $296,627.70.

Successful independent Reps candidates Tony Windsor and Bob Katter receive $105,217.86 and $64,919.66 respectively.

Gavin Priestley, who gave the Nats a run for their money in what had been Peter Andren territory gets $37,979.71 and Labor rat Gavan O’Connor has $21,010.05 for cheese.

When public funding was introduced in the eighties the official spin said it would encourage greater diversity, but like most measures in our electoral system it has given its biggest boost to the major parties.

Initially, public funding was given to reimburse campaign spending, but concerns over paperwork led to the removal of the requirement to present accounts and the current formula was devised.

While Hanson’s funding has been criticised, Xenophon told AM this morning it would be very difficult for an independent candidate to mount a successful campaign without public funding. Xenophon has told the Adelaide Advertiser he will repay donors.