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They’re dismissed as boring, little more than a “selfie” opportunity for economy nerds – or even labelled a threat to democracy.

But as budget week approaches, the major parties are once again spruiking fundraising dinners and drinks for their most loyal followers – and slugging them for thousands of dollars.

A seat at Labor’s budget night dinner on Tuesday, 12 May, with the prime minister, treasurer and senior ministers, costs $5,500, up from $5,000 last year. The event is being held somewhere in the “Canberra CBD”, according to Labor sources.

The Federal Labor Business Forum (FLBF) – a major fundraising arm for the party – will also host a more casual networking function for $2,000 per ticket. MPs and ministers are expected to attend the event likely to be held at the National Press Club.

A top-tier membership to the FLBF costs more than $100,000 and gives holders about 25% off their tickets. Companies, including Westfarmers and Sportsbet, have reportedly held top-tier memberships.

Thursday will be the big day for the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, and the Coalition’s coffers. A ticket to the Liberal and Nationals budget-in-reply dinner costs $3300.

Publicity for the dinner promises a “great opportunity to hear directly from the leaders and to discuss … the Coalition’s plan for the future”. It will be held at the Hotel Realm ballroom, which has a capacity of up to 500 seated guests.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Bradfield federal branch is hosting a budget-in-reply watch party and dinner at Manuka Oval. The event includes watching the speech from the parliamentary gallery, followed by a three-course meal and addresses from Taylor and the shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson. Tickets cost $1,500 for non-members, $1,000 for members or $12,000 for a table of ten.

Taylor is also expected to pop into a separate budget-in-reply dinner hosted by the Cook Endeavour Forum and MP Simon Kennedy.

That “exclusive evening” event will feature shadow ministers, MPs and some Coalition candidates, along with commentary from Taylor and other senior Liberal figures. Tickets to the Cook event are the cheapest among the fundraisers, at $3,500 for a table of ten.

Privately, current and former parliamentarians said they resent being “wheeled out” for the events.

One former MP said they found such fundraisers “horrendous” and “boring”, being left to speak at length with “economics nerds”.

“You don’t raise that much money either, and it’s like ‘what are we doing?’” they said.

They guessed that politicians from all along the political spectrum hated participating in ritzy social galas.

“I can’t think of a member of parliament who does not hold that view,” they said. “That is the dirty little secret of the whole thing.”

Independent ACT senator David Pocock said “cash-for-access” type of events distorted public policymaking and were “bad for democracy”.

He wants greater transparency about how lobbyists gain access to parliament, and which politicians they attempt to influence.

“The federal budget should be about our priorities as a country, not an opportunity for corporate lobbyists to cash in at the expense of everyday Australians,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Liberal party rejected Pocock’s criticism.

“Clearly, in David Pocock’s mind, there are good political donations and bad political donations,” they said. “The good donations are the millions he’s received ... Bad donations are those that go to everyone else.”

From next year, new political fundraising rules require all donations – including tickets – above $5000 to be declared, and with less delay. It might make these events look a little different.

Yaron Finkelstein, a former chief political strategist to Scott Morrison and Dominic Perrottet, fondly recalls the “Oscars for political nerds” and downplays the influence factor.

“If you get any so-called access, it’ll be 30 seconds as Jim Chalmers breezes into one of the rooms that a fundraiser is being held in, where he says a few snappy one-liners, something that resembles a political message, and on he goes to the next event,” he said.

“A well-coordinated blitzkrieg across the building would see the treasurer and the prime minister go to double-digit events – if their fundraisers are doing their job.

“It’s more selfie than policy.”