An independent panel has been established to strengthen the integrity of Victoria’s electoral and political donations system.
Announced by the Minister for Government Services, Danny Pearson, the independent Electoral Review Expert Panel, in consultation with the Electoral Matters Committee of Parliament, is to review how reforms to the Electoral Act 2002 in 2018 operated during the 2022 State election.
“The 2018 reforms banned anonymous donations above $1,000 and placed a general cap of $4,000 on the value of donations from a single source in a four-year electoral cycle, indexed annually, and made other reforms to strengthen the integrity of Victoria’s electoral system,” Mr Pearson said.
“A review of the reforms following a full electoral cycle allows their effectiveness to be assessed, as well as enabling the panel to consider whether Victoria’s political donations regime can be strengthened further,” he said.
“The review will specifically consider whether the Electoral Act 2002 should include a cap on political expenditure, as well as other matters, such as the effectiveness of recent changes to electronically assisted voting.”
Mr Pearson said the panel would also consider the donations-related recommendations made by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission in its October 2022 special report on corruption risks.
He said former Victorian Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Elizabeth Williams had been appointed to chair the panel and would be supported by David Feeney and Helen Kroger.
The panel’s final report is due by 24 November this year.
