VICTORIA — New political donation laws were enacted in Victoria after the Legislative Assembly passed a donation bill on Friday morning. The legislation establishes a $7,500 donation limit per donor over a four-year term and reinstates financial disclosure mandates.
These actions follow a High Court ruling in April that invalidated a section of the state's Electoral Act. That judicial ruling removed an earlier political donation cap of $4,970 over a four-year period. Victoria has operated without statutory limits or public disclosure requirements for political donations since the ruling.
Premier Jacinta Allan agreed to grant the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission extended authority to investigate the spending of public money by private contractors and subcontractors. She also agreed to expand the legal definition of corrupt conduct to facilitate investigations and public hearings. The commission has requested expanded investigative powers for a decade. A parliamentary inquiry recommended reforms to Victoria's integrity laws six months ago.
The government negotiated a political donation framework with the Greens and crossbench members of parliament. Discussions on donation laws between the government, Liberal leader Jess Wilson, and shadow attorney general James Newbury concluded without a bilateral agreement. The legislation also raises public funding allocations for political parties.
During parliamentary debate, opposition members characterized the legislation as "rigged," "dodgy," "shonky," and a "dirty racket." Deputy Liberal Leader David Southwick accused the government of attempting to steal an election. Independent candidate Paul Hopper retained legal counsel to contest the new donation laws. Hopper and independent candidate Melissa Lowe previously secured a court ruling against original donation regulations. The Coalition is evaluating potential legal challenges to the new legislation.
Independent candidates Sophie Torney and Shima Ibuki acknowledged they must return contributions from Climate 200 received during the regulatory gap to avoid legal violations. Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court asserted that the revised donation limits will disproportionately impact independent candidates.