The TerritoryLabor Government has passed the Electoral Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2019
This bill isbased on recommendations made by Justice John Mansfield in his PoliticalDonations Inquiry.
The inquirywas a key Labor election commitment, after the CLP repeatedly refused to have adonations inquiry in the wake of their Foundation 51 scandal.
Passage ofthe Bill will mean these reforms are in place in time for the next NT generalelection in August next year, with a review post-election.
The Electoral Legislation Further AmendmentBill 2019 includes:
- A cap on how much parties and candidates can spend on a campaign
An indexed$40,000 cap on electoral expenditure for individual candidates, with a pooledcap for political parties. The maximum cap for political parties standingcandidates in all 25 seats would be $1 million.
- Improvements to reporting requirements and disclosure returns in election years and the lead up to election day
The proposedamendments maximise the availability of uptodate donation information thatcan be accessed by the public when casting their vote.
This willhave the effect of focusing on increasing the transparency of politicaldonations and expenditure, particularly in election years.
This changewill mean that Territorians are informed of what donations parties havereceived pre-polling starts.
- Reforms to ensure compliance of associated entities and third parties with the Electoral Act
The Billimposes new requirements for disclosures by third party campaigners andassociated groups and caps electoral expenditure for associated groups.
It requiresboth groups to register with the Northern Territory Electoral Commission(NTEC). NTEC must publish both registers on its website.
- Imprisonment of up to 10 years and stiff penalties of up to $232,500
The Bill alsocontains new offences and penalties to drive compliance with the new scheme.
As noted bythe Chief Minister Michael Gunner:
After TerryMills and the CLPs Foundation 51 scandal, it was important to reform thedonations system in the Territory.
If it wereup to the CLP, the Mansfield Inquiry and the reforms would have never happened.
Thislegislation will hold politicians and political parties to account for theirdonations and reporting of donations with strict offences and penalties.
It willinclude the toughest ever caps and reporting standards for donations in theTerritory.
It alsomeans that Territorians will know who and how much has been donated to partiesand candidates before they cast their vote."
