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While the level of political donations fluctuates from year to year depending on election cycles, the same big industries tend to dominate regardless.

Yesterday’s donations data from the Australian Electoral Commission shows the big four consulting firms, for example, gave more than $650,000 in contributions to political parties, state and federal, across the country.

PwC maintained its usual high level of contributions, giving parties on both sides $246,000; KPMG gave $241,000 — though wisely did not give money to either side in New South Wales, where the firm has been embroiled in, and discredited by, its involvement in the scandal over the rail entity TAHE. But Ernst & Young and Deloitte both pulled back on donations — EY gave just $76,000; Deloitte $96,000.

The financial sector gave more than $1.5 million to parties — dominated as always by the big banks. Westpac gave nearly $130,000; the Commonwealth $160,000; ANZ $244,000; NAB $110,000 split into $55,000 to each side. Macquarie gave $230,000. Alleged finance disruptor Afterpay entered the lobbying market with $69,000 — a good investment given the absurd indulgence it has been shown by the government.

The clubs industry, always a donation force to be reckoned with, gave more than $760,000. Crown confined its donations to the Western Australian parties, where the regulatory pressure is lowest at the moment, with $46,000. Sportsbet and Tabcorp both chipped in $329,000 between them — the bulk of it to state parties.

And the Pharmacy Guild was the most hyperactive donor of all, shelling out nearly $300,000 across nearly 90 donations to continue to weave its magic spell over decision-makers.

There’s giving money — and then there’s making sure you get value for that money by going to as many fundraisers as you can possibly stomach. Presumably pharmacy lobbyists had some gastric relief on hand for all the rubber chicken they would have had to eat.