Released 31/10/2023
The ACT Government is strengthening the transparency, integrity and accessibility of our elections by ensuring real time reporting for political donations.
New laws passed today also ban foreign donations in our local elections in line with Commonwealth legislation and introduces a new offence for parking a vehicle on areas like median strips and high speed roads if a sign displaying commercial or electoral advertising is attached to the vehicle.
In addition to these changes, corflutes will also be limited to 250 per candidate and entity, to address road safety risks caused by roadside signage, whilst still providing freedom of political communication through the use of signage.
“This package of reform will make our local elections more transparent, fairer and encourage participation in the democratic process,” said Special Minister of State Chris Steel.
“New reporting requirements for political donations adding up to over $1000 must be made within a week of receiving the donation.
“Real time donation laws will ensure that substantial donations are disclosed to the public more quickly, while protecting people who are participating in the grass roots political process, such as paying party membership fees.
“Our new foreign donations ban is also well tested, and has been built around the Commonwealth framework, meaning we know it works in both a legal and practical sense.
“The new offence for parking a vehicle displaying political advertising in an inappropriate place is $700 or a court imposed fine of up to $3200. This will deter unsafe parking behaviour for advertising purposes and we will closely monitor the effectiveness of the new offence once it is implemented.
“These road safety changes will not apply in certain circumstances, such as bumper stickers or roadside advertising of vehicles for sale, either outside a dealership or by private sale.”
This legislation fulfils commitments in the Parliamentary and Government Agreement for this Assembly to further restrict road side advertising, ban foreign political donations and introduce ‘real time’ political donation reporting.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases