The funds were provided through a $30 million Climate Change Fund grant program designed to help business overcome barriers to investment in water and energy savings.

Greens MP John Kaye said: "According to our research $4.6 million of the $11.7 million awarded in the first round of funding went to Coca Cola Amatil, Mirvac, Westfield, Qantas and Coles.

"Between them, these five businesses have donated $2.3 million to the Labor Party since 1999.

"The Minister has prioritised funding for highly profitable companies.

“Yet one of the criteria for the Green Business Program is that a project will not proceed without financial assistance.

"The $14 billion Mirvac was awarded $1.3 million for 'energy saving projects’, while its 2006-7 profit was $556 million. It donated $262,000 to the Labor Party.

"The Westfield Group received $2.4 million which neatly matches the amount it has donated to the Labor Party since 1999. It is a $3 billion company whose corporate material already claims a strong investment in energy efficiency and water conservation through its projects. 

"Climate Change Minister Verity Firth has to reveal how these projects were selected.

"The Minister chose to use the Green Business Program to boast about the government's climate change credentials in Parliament last week.

"When corporate donors end up winning large sums of public money, the public should be very concerned.

"The onus is on the Iemma government to demonstrate these grants are not rorts," said Dr Kaye.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455