Hospitality Tasmania gave $217,000 to the Liberal Party in the final days of June last year, just before stricter donation disclosure rules came into effect.
Australian Electoral Commission returns released on Tuesday show the donations were made between June 27 and 30.
New laws requiring donations over $1,000 to be disclosed within seven days began on July 1.
The state election was called on June 11 and held on July 19.
AEC figures show the Tasmanian Liberals received $5.1 million in the 2024-25 financial year.
Tasmanian Labor took in $2.8 million and the Tasmanian Greens $981,000.
Hospitality Tasmania also donated $20,000 to Labor before the election.
The industry group said its donations were driven by policy positions around the now-approved Hobart stadium, not party loyalty.
“Our donations are driven by policy, not politics,” president Ben Carpenter said.
“We have a responsibility to our 700-plus members and everyone employed in hospitality to support candidates and parties who support our industry.”
“The scale of donations simply reflects the fact that, during this period, Liberal candidates were more aligned with two of the biggest economic opportunities in Tasmania’s future in the Macquarie Point stadium and the Tasmanian AFL team.”
“Both of these projects will deliver enormous benefits for hospitality, tourism and jobs across the state.”
Carpenter pointed to the group’s Labor donations as evidence of its non-partisan approach.
“Our support for Labor candidates who share these priorities shows this is not about party colours, it’s about the future of our state,” he said.
The Greens accused the hospitality industry of timing the donations to avoid public scrutiny.
Hobart MLC Cassy O’Connor said the donations should have been disclosed during the campaign.
“It stinks to high heaven,” she said.
“Tasmanians deserved to know the donations made to the Liberals during the election campaign and what favours were bought before they cast their vote.”
Greens MP Vica Bayley linked the donations to “buying influence and policy outcomes”.
“Let’s be real. [Hospitality Tasmania] isn’t just giving these massive donations to the Liberals for the sake of charity,” he said.
“They are doing so to make sure they get things their way – and so they have.”
Government minister Jo Palmer said Tasmanians should take “great comfort” in the transparency around disclosed donations.
“Organisations, associations and individuals donate to political parties as they see fit and the important thing here is that it is really transparent,” she said.
“The people of Tasmania know who is donating to who and that’s a really important aspect of the case.”
Hospitality Tasmania board member Angelo Fraraccio said the donations were made as the collective voice of the sector.
“We were very clear before, during and after the election that a stadium that could bring more events, business events and sport to our state was a must and we would stand up for our industry as it would be a boon for our members,” he said.
“The hospitality industry will always fight for our livelihood, venues and jobs and we will never shy away from that.”
