US Edition
Published • loading... • Updated
State Political Donation Laws Struck Out by High Court
The ruling removes a 2018 cap on campaign donations and could allow unrestricted spending by parties and independents, with teal candidates poised to benefit.
- On Wednesday, the High Court struck down Victoria's political donation laws in a landmark 71-page judgment, ruling Part 12 of the Electoral Act "impermissibly burdens" the Australian constitution's implied freedom of political communication.
- Legislation passed in 2018 created "nominated entities" allowing Labor, Liberal, and the National Party to withdraw unlimited campaign funds, while effectively preventing independent candidates Paul Hopper and Melissa Lowe from establishing similar fundraising bodies.
- Financial records show the Liberal Party received $7.07 million and the ALP $5.38 million from their respective entities in the first three years of the electoral cycle, creating an unequal system that privileged established parties.
- "Thanks to this verdict, the days of major parties rigging elections to serve themselves are over," Hopper said, while Premier Jacinta Allan stated her government would review the decision before responding.
- Former federal independents Zoe Daniel and Rex Patrick are monitoring the result as they prepare similar challenges against Commonwealth laws, with Australia currently lacking federal caps on political donations.
Insights by Ground AI
18 Articles
18 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left7Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Left
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources lean Left
58% Left
L 58%
C 25%
R 17%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
