Higher Expenditure Caps for Third-Party Campaigners During State Election Campaigns
Electoral Funding Amendment Bill 2023
Legislative Council
Legislative Assembly
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon John Graham MLC (ALP); Jo Haylen MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Alister Henskens LIB
“We are fortunate in this country that, unlike in the United States, generally speaking, elections cannot be bought and that they are relatively fair contest. Unfortunately, for the reasons that I will explain, the Electoral Funding Amendment Bill 2023 will substantially make the playing field uneven and unfair in New South Wales with regard to the case of by-election expenditure.”
Anna Watson ALP
“That was quite the speech by the member for Wahroonga. I speak in favour of the Electoral Funding Amendment Bill 2023 and I thank the Minister for bringing forward this important legislative change.”
Kobi Shetty GRN
“As The Greens spokesperson on democracy, I indicate that The Greens will support the Electoral Funding Amendment Bill 2023.”
Matt Cross LIB
“On behalf of the Opposition, I am pleased to contribute to debate on the Electoral Funding Amendment Bill 2023. When I first worked in Parliament House back in 2008, electoral expenditure was a very big issue.”
Jo Haylen ALP
“I appreciate the objections of the member for Wahroonga to the bill, but I note he incorrectly stated that the cap would be aggregated if multiple by-elections were to occur. I make it clear that the cap is per by-election. As members will be aware, the bill proposes amendments to the Electoral Funding Act to implement a cap on third‑party campaigners’ electoral expenditure in by-elections.”
News articles and press releases
Electoral Funding Amendment Bill 2023
The Hon. ANTHONY D'ADAM — 2023-08-03
Item [1] amends section 29 (11) of the Election Funding Act to replace the amount of $20,000 with $225,900 as the applicable electoral expenditure cap for a third-party campaigner for each by-election for the Legislative Assembly. Item [2] amends section 29 (12 - b) of the Act to replace the amount of $24,700 with $225,900 as the applicable cap for third-party campaigners in respect of each electoral district in relation to electoral expenditure incurred substantially for the purposes of an election in a particular electoral district when there is a State general election or by-elections in more than one electoral district. The bill will commence on assent.