Bill
Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021
passed, as at 2021-12-13. Finance portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Finance
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2021-08-12
- second reading — 2021-08-12
- second reading — 2021-11-22
- second reading — 2021-11-22
- committee — 2021-11-22
- third reading — 2021-11-22
- introduced — 2021-11-24
- second reading — 2021-11-24
- second reading — 2021-12-01
- third reading — 2021-12-01
- other — 2021-12-02
- passed — 2021-12-02
- royal assent — 2021-12-13
Divisions
- The majority voted in favour of a motion to *disagree* with an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2021-11-22.131.1) introduced by Indi MP [Helen Haines](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/indi/helen_haines) (Independent), which means the amendment failed. ### Amendment text > *That all words after "whilst" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:* > > *"noting the importance of this reform, the House:* > > *(1) notes the Government broke with convention and introduced a significant addition to this bill, tripling it in size within a matter of hours, and preventing the crossbench from having an opportunity to review, contemplate or be briefed on the amended bill;* > > *(2) notes that if the Government wanted to truly level the playing field when it comes to political donations, it could lower the AEC disclosure threshold from the current rate of $14,500 to $1,000; and* > > *(3) calls on the Government to postpone the second reading vote on this bill until another sitting day, as is the convention with new bills".* — 2021-11-22, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 69, noes 63
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2021-11-22.139.1) to *disagree* with an amendment moved by MP for Scullin [Andrew Giles](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/scullin/andrew_giles) (Labor), which means the amendment failed. The amendment would have changed the text of the usual [second reading motion](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/), which is "*that the bill be read a second time*" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the bill's main idea). ### Amendment text > *That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:* > > *"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:* > > *(1) notes that the bill's explanatory memorandum states that the amendments are intended to enhance public confidence in Australia's political processes;* > > *(2) notes further that Labor has two bills before the Senate which would actually enhance public confidence in Australia's political processes, by lowering the disclosure threshold from the current $14,500 indexed to inflation to a fixed $1,000 and requiring real time disclosure of political donations; and* > > *(3) calls on the Coalition Government to end its attacks on groups impacted by this change, including charities and instead support Labor's political donations reforms".* ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500 000 to $100 000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), w — 2021-11-22, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 69, noes 63
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2021-11-22.129.2) to agree with the main idea of the bill. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill [for a second time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/). This means that they can now consider it in greater detail. ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500 000 to $100 000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-11-22, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 69, noes 63
- The majority voted in favour of [government amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2021-11-22.143.1), which means they passed and will now be part of the bill. They were introduced by Goldstein MP [Tim Wilson](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/goldstein/tim_wilson) (Liberal) and related to registration requirements and financial disclosure. ### What does the bill do? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500 000 to $100 000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-11-22, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 69, noes 61
- The majority voted is favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2021-11-22.147.1) "*that [the bill](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), as amended, be agreed to.*" This means they can now vote on whether to read the bill for a [third time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/) before sending it to the Senate for their consideration. ### What does the bill do? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500 000 to $100 000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-11-22, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 69, noes 61
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2021-11-22.149.1) to pass the bill. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill [for a third time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/). This means that the bill will now be sent to the Senate for their consideration. ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500 000 to $100 000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-11-22, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 69, noes 61
- The same number of senators voted for and against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2021-11-24.163.2): > *That the [Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752) be referred to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 3 February 2022.* This means the motion failed and so the bill will not be sent to that Committee for their consideration. ### What does the bill do? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500 000 to $100 000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-11-24, Senate: negative, ayes 25, noes 25
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-12-01.210.2) to agree with the main idea of the bill. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill [for a second time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/). This means that the bill can now be discussed in greater detail. ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-01, Senate: affirmative, ayes 31, noes 10
- The majority voted in favour of an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-12-01.213.1) introduced by the government, which means it was successful. The amendment concerned the electoral expenditure amount. ### Amendment text > *(1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (line 5), omit “$100,000”, substitute “$250,000”.* ### What does this bill do? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-01, Senate: affirmative, ayes 34, noes 7
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-12-01.215.6) introduced by Tasmanian Senator [Jacqui Lambie](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/jacqui_lambie) (JLN) and South Australian Senator [Rex Patrick](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/rex_patrick) (Independent), which means they failed. The amendments concerned the disclosure threshold. ### Amendment text > *(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (before line 4), before item 1, insert:* > >> *1A Subsection 287(1) (definition of disclosure threshold)* >> >>> *Omit "$13,800", substitute "$1,000".* >> >> *1B Subsection 287(1) (note to the definition of disclosure threshold)* >> >>> *Repeal the note.* >> >> *1C Subsection 287(1) (paragraph (a) of the definition of third party)* >> >>> *Omit "the disclosure threshold", substitute "$10,000".* > > *(2) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 10), after item 3, insert:* > >> *3A Section 321A* >> >>> *Repeal the section.* ### What does this bill do? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-01, Senate: negative, ayes 10, noes 31
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-12-01.217.1) introduced by Tasmanian Senator [Jacqui Lambie](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/jacqui_lambie) (JLN) and South Australian Senator [Rex Patrick](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/rex_patrick) (Independent), which means they failed. The amendments concerned proceeds of events. ### What does this bill do? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-01, Senate: negative, ayes 9, noes 31
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2021-12-01.219.1) introduced by the Centre Alliance party, which means they failed. The amendments was on matters relating the commencement of the legislation. ### Amendment text > *(1) Schedule 1, item 4, page 3 (lines 11 to 15), omit the item (including the note), substitute:* > >> *4 Application of amendments* >> >> *For the purposes of Part XX of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, references to financial years, in subsection 287F(1) of that Act as amended by this Schedule, are references to financial years beginning on or after this item commences.* > > *(2) Schedule 2, item 35, page 10 (lines 19 and 20), omit "the financial year in which this item commences and later financial years", substitute "a financial year beginning on or after the commencement of this item".* > > *(3) Schedule 2, item 35, page 10 (line 10), omit "subsections 287F(1) and", substitute "subsection".* > > *(4) Schedule 2, item 35, page 10 (lines 13 to 16), omit the note to subitem (1), substitute:* > >> *Note: The effect of this subitem is that a person or entity may be required to be registered as an associated entity before the end of 90 days after the commencement of this item (see subsection 287H(2) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918).* ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-01, Senate: negative, ayes 10, noes 30
- The majority voted against [amendment (1)](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6752_amend_2376b71c-3027-43db-8aec-53b980a15cdd%22;rec=0) moved by Queensland Senator [Larissa Waters](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/larissa_waters) (Greens), which means it failed. ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 1), omit the table item, substitute:* > > *1. The whole of the Act: 1 July 2022.* ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-01, Senate: negative, ayes 10, noes 30
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2021-12-01.224.1) to pass the bill. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill [for a third time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/). This means that the bill will now be sent back to the House of Representatives, where our MPs will consider whether they agree with the amendments. ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-01, Senate: affirmative, ayes 30, noes 9
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2021-12-02.29.7) that the amendments be considered immediately. ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bill homepage](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6752), the bill: > *Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to reduce from $500,000 to $100,000 the threshold for electoral expenditure that can be incurred by an individual or organisation before they are required to register as a political campaigner.* More detail is included in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2122a/22bd015), which is produced by the parliamentary library and is a useful nonpartisan document. — 2021-12-02, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 55, noes 5
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2021-08-12.
The bill would lower the spending limit that triggers a registration requirement for political campaigners.
It would rename 'political campaigner' as 'significant third party' and broaden who counts as an associated entity.
The new registration threshold for a significant third party would be $250,000 in a financial year.
- The bill reduces the expenditure thresholds for registration as a political campaigner.
- It replaces the term 'political campaigner' with 'significant third party' throughout the Electoral Act.
- It expands the criteria for who must register and disclose as a significant third party.
- It expands the list of entities that can be considered associated with an associated entity.
Individuals and organisations that spend on electoral matters.
Sources
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em supp
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billhome
frl act