Media Release: Parties Challenged to Disclose Political Donations for Entire State Election
Parties Challenged to Disclose Political Donations for Entire State Election
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today challenged the parties and candidates contesting the snap State election to disclose any political donations received for the entire election campaign period in accordance with the new Electoral Disclosure and Funding Act’s provisions, which will come into force for the last three weeks before polling day on July 19.
“All registered parties, intending candidates and associated entities should publicly commit to the Tasmanian public that all political donations received for the purpose of this early state election will be assessed, recorded and disclosed consistent with the new laws as the absolute minimum, from the issuing of the election writs,” Ms Webb said.
“We now know we face the absurd situation where our new State political donations disclosure laws will only apply partially to this election campaign once the calendar ticks over to July.
“These remaining weeks of June must not be treated as a massive political donations loophole by the major parties, where they try to rake in as much donors’ cash as possible knowing it can be kept secret and undisclosed.
“We all know that from July 1, all registered parties and candidates contesting the election, and any affiliated entities, will need to record and disclose donations and gifts of $1000 or above. Cash donations of more than $100 and any anonymous donations will be banned.
“If these provisions can be implemented from Tuesday, July 1, there is no good reason why they cannot be implemented voluntarily over the remaining weeks of June, from the issuing of the election writs.
“All donations totalling $1000 from one donor should be disclosed as soon as possible via party, candidate and associated entities websites throughout June, as well as being disclosed to the Tasmanian Electoral Commission from July 1.”
Ms Webb warned that claims to be complying with the law for only part of the election campaign would ring hollow to an electorate already tired of political games which put party self interest before the community’s best interests.
“Make no mistake, this will be a test of integrity, and any attempts to hide behind weasel words such as ‘we will abide by the law’ will not cut it.
“Tasmanians did not ask for and do not want this early election, with many considering it a failure of political leadership by the two major parties.
“Failure to implement the spirit and intent of the new political donations disclosures laws throughout the entire state election period will only compound people’s anger and sense of betrayal.”
