Change in regulated period
The regulated period for the 2020 General Election and referendums has been re-set and will now be from 18 August to 16 October.
The change in dates for the regulated period follows the announcement by the Prime Minister that election day will now be 17 October 2020.
During the regulated period, there are limits on how much candidates, parties and third parties can spend on election and referendum advertising. Because the regulated period now begins in August, the July 2020 CPI adjustments apply, and changes have been made to the expense limits (see below).
The change in dates also means that the election period when parties and candidates can broadcast advertising on television and radio has changed and will start on 13 September (writ day).
The new dates are:
Regulated period when expenditure on election and referendum advertising is capped
- 18 August – 16 October (was 19 June – 18 September)
Election period when parties and candidates may broadcast election programmes
- 13 September (new writ day) – 16 October (was 16 August – 18 September)
Start of advance voting
- 3 October (was 5 September)
Election day
- 17 October (was 19 September)
The new expense limits for the 2020 General Election regulated period are set out below, including CPI adjustments.
Maximum amount of advertising expenses for an electorate candidate
- $28,200 (was $27,500)
Maximum amount of advertising expenses for registered parties contesting the party vote
- $1,199,000 (was $1,169,000)
- plus $28,200 (was $27,500) for each electorate candidate for the party
Maximum amount of advertising expenses for a registered party not contesting the party vote
- $28,200 (was $27,500) for each electorate candidate for the party
Maximum amount of advertising expenses for an unregistered promoter
- $13,600 (was $13,200)
Maximum amount of advertising expenses for a registered promoter
- $338,000 (was $330,000)