Electoral Council of Australia

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Reports
Electoral Systems
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Electoral Systems

 

Parliaments and Local Councils

Funding Donations and Disclosure Provisions

Commonwealth

Head of State
Governor-general
Leader of Government
Prime Minister

Senate

At the 1998 federal election, funding of approximately $1.62 per House and Senate vote was granted to candidates and Senate groups who received at least 4% of the formal first preference vote. This level of funding is indexed to the CPI. Disclosure of certain financial details is required by candidates, registered political parties and other groups in returns filed with the AEC.

House of Representatives

 

New South Wales

Head of State
Governor
Leader of Government
Premier

Legislative Council

Candidates elected and those who receive 4%of the vote receive funding. All candidates, groups and parties must declare contributions and expenditure.

Legislative Assembly

 

Local Councils

Disclosure. No funding.

Victoria

Head of State
Governor
Leader of Government
Premier

Legislative Council

Candidates have to disclose individual expenses and have an expenditure limit of $5000.
No public funding.

Legislative Assembly

 

Local Councils

None

Queensland

Head of State
Governor
Leader of Government
Premier

(Legislative Council abolished 1922)
Legislative Assembly

Based on Commonwealth Scheme.
Introduced in 1994
Election funding rate for the 2001/2002 Financial Year was $1.23995.
Rate is indexed annually to CPI.

Local Councils

Disclosure of donations.
No funding.

Western Australia

Head of State
Governor
Leader of Government
Premier

Legislative Council

Disclosure of donations and expenditure required by candidates, groups and other persons for each election. Political parties and associated entities are required to disclose expenditure incurred in relation to each election, as well as provide annual returns for donations received each financial year.

Legislative Assembly

 

Local Councils

Disclosure of donations. No funding.

South Australia

Head of State
Governor
Leader of Government
Premier

Legislative Council

None

House of Assembly

 

Local Councils

All candiadates must complete a campaign donation return form. City of Adelaide requires campaign and donation expenditure disclosure.

Tasmania

Head of State
Governor
Leader of Government
Premier

Legislative Council

Legislative Council has expenditure limit in 2001 of $9000 per candidate and expenditure statement is required. The expenditure limit increases by $250 each year.

House of Assembly

 

Local Councils

Limit on advertising expenditure.

Northern Territory

Head of State
Administrator
Leader of Government
Chief Minister

Legislative Assembly

None.

Municipal Councils

None.

Local Councils

None.

Australian Capital Territory

Head of State
Governor-general (the Governor-general has certain reserve powers and can disallow legislation, recommend amendments to legislation and under extreme circumstance dissolve the Assembly.)
Leader of Government
Chief Minister (The Chief Minister is elected by the Assembly and exercises a number of powers normally exercised by a Governor including appointment of Ministers and signing law into effect.)

Legislative Assembly

Funding of $1.19 cents per legislative Assembly vote is granted to parties and independent candidates who must receive at least 2% on the formal first preference vote to be eligible for funding.
Disclosure requirements are similar to the Commonwealth.

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