The Independent's Tool-box

Election Returns & Disclosure Obligations

After the election has been held, candidates must submit disclosure returns detailing campaign expenditure and donations received.

All donations or gift-in-kind of $200 and over in value must be declared, along with the name and address details of the donor.

The amount of money you spend on broadcasting ads, published ads (in the papers), displaying your ads at a 'place of entertainment'; on printed material that requires authorisation (i.e. all printed election material); on direct mailed electoral material and on the conducting of opinion polling must be declared to the AEC.

You must comply with the AEC's disclosure requirements, and ICAN advises all candidates to make sure they understand their obligations. Refer to your local AEC office or the AEC website on disclosure; or to your relevant State Electoral Office for more information.