Inquiry into the proposed amendments to the Electoral Legislations Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill submission 2017

Philanthropy Australia, along with many other stakeholders, raised major concerns about the Bill when it was first introduced by the Government and made these views known to JSCEM as part of its first inquiry.

We welcomed the proposed amendments – the subject of this Inquiry – which addressed many of the concerns that had been raised about the Bill, including a new, narrow and clearer definition of ‘electoral expenditure’, reductions in penalties to make them more reasonable and proportionate, and decreases in other compliance obligations.

The submission provided more detailed comments on the Bill and draft amendments to address a number of matters.