Media Release: Will New Laws Ensure Political Donations are Known by Polling Day?
Will New Laws Ensure Political Donations are Known by Polling Day?
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Tasmania’s historic new political donations disclosure laws commencing today are a good step forward, but risk voters still being in the dark over donations received during the current election campaign due to the 14 day maximum disclosure period, warned Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC.
“Tasmania’s new and historic political donations disclosure laws which commence on 1 July are a very welcome and historic first step,” Ms Webb said.
“However, Tasmanians are not guaranteed they will know who has donated what to whom when they go to the ballot box on July 19, thanks to Labor and Liberals colluding in the Upper House last year to vote down an amendment to introduce real-time public disclosures.
“Under the new laws political donations of $1000 must be disclosed within a seven day period to the TEC. The Commission then has up to a further seven days by which to make those disclosures public.
“This potential 14 day time lag means donations of $1000 or more made today may not become public until the 14th of July, and any donations received on or later than the 6th of July may not be made public until after polling day on the 19th.
“That is clearly an enormous loophole inconsistent with community demand for greater transparency and timely disclosure.
“The growing trend for voters to choose early and postal voting options also highlights why we need more immediate and timely public disclosure of reportable donations during election periods.
“The donations public disclosure time lag dates the new laws before they have even commenced.
“The challenge for all candidates and parties contesting the state election is to respect the electorate’s demand for transparency and choose to disclose publicly all donations of $1000 or more as immediately as possible, rather than hide behind the lame excuse of abiding by a flawed law.
“Let’s be clear, there is nothing in the new laws which prevent the immediate public disclosure of political donations received by candidates and parties. That is the choice of the candidates and parties.
“It will be very telling to see which parties and candidates choose to comply with the spirit of transparency by publishing who has donated what to them in real-time before their voters go to the ballot box on July 19,” Ms Webb said.
