Candidate and third party returns released
Candidate and third party returns for the 2020 General Election and referendums have been published on the Electoral Commission website.
Electorate candidates must report how much they spent on election advertising (their election expenses) and whether they received donations that meet the thresholds for disclosure. A summary and downloadable copies of the returns are available here.
Third party promoters that spent more than $100,000 on advertising for the election or either referendum also needed to file a return setting out their advertising expenses. The third party returns are available here.
The deadline for candidate and third party returns was 17 February 2021.
Limits for election expenses and donations
The expense limit for electorate candidates during the regulated period (18 August to 16 October 2020) was $28,200 including GST.
Electorate candidates must also declare donations of more $1,500 and overseas donations over $50.
More information is available in the 2020 Candidate Handbook.
The expense limit for registered third party promoters during the regulated period was $338,000 including GST for the general election and $338,000 for each of the referendums.
Third party promoters do not need to declare donations to their campaign.
More information is available in the 2020 Third Party Handbook.
Party returns
Political party election expense and broadcasting allocation returns for the 2020 General Election are due on 17 March 2021.
Annual returns from parties on donations and loans are due on 30 April 2021.