Campaign Donation Returns

Pursuant to Section 306 of the Local Government Act 2020, within 40 days after election day, a person who was a candidate in the election must give an election campaign donation return to the Chief Executive Officer. The return must include a record of any donations or gifts valued at over $500 (aggregate or individually), including in-kind support or gifts in the form of services, for their election campaign. 

This applies to all candidates, irrespective of whether they receive any donations or gifts, or whether they were elected. It also covers a wide period as all donations or gifts that were above the threshold and received from 30 days after the previous election to 30 days after the current election must be declared.

Section 307 of the Act specifies that the Chief Executive Officer must ensure that, within 14 days after the period specified in section 306(1), a summary of each election campaign donation return given to the Chief Executive Officer under section 306 is made available on the Council's website.

Section 307 of the Act specifies that a summary of an election campaign donation return must include the following information in respect of the candidate who gave the election campaign donation return:

• the name of the candidate;
• if a gift is included in the return, the name of the person who made the gift and the total value of the gift received from that person.

The Chief Executive Officer must ensure that a summary of an election campaign donation return is made available on the Council's website until the close of the roll for the next general election.

The Chief Executive Officer must ensure that a copy of an election campaign donation return is available for inspection at the office of the Council during normal office hours for a period of 4 years from the date that it is given under section 306.