Aust, US gun donations comparable: report

Major gun lobbyists in Australia and America are spending comparable amounts on political donations taking into account their population, a report has found.

Gun groups and businesses have donated $1.7m to Australian political parties in the past 8 years. (AAP)

Australian pro-gun advocates are spending as much per person on political donations as their powerful counterparts in America, according to a new report.

The National Rifle Association in the US spends far more overall than local equivalents such as the Shooting Industry Foundation Australia, research by the Australia Institute has found.

But the two groups spent a similar amount on political donations per million people in their respective countries, the study commissioned by Gun Control Australia finds.

In the 2018 cycle, the NRA spent $2512 per million US residents, while in 2015/16 - the financial year before the previous Australian election - the SIFA spent $2562 per million Australians.

In total, pro-gun groups and businesses have donated $1.7 million to Australian political parties in the past eight years.

Bob Katter's Australian Party has been the biggest beneficiary, receiving $808,750, followed by the Shooters Party who received $699,834.

The donations and other political campaigns attract little attention because the Australian lobby keeps them low key, the report says.

Gun Control Australia president Sam Lee says the analysis shows an NRA-style gun lobby, including gun manufacturers and importers, is flourishing down under.

"It has deep pockets, extensive networks and parliamentary representation," she said.