The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017

Our new research brief explains why the Turnbull Government’s proposed changes to funding and disclosure provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act would threaten freedom of speech and civil society.

The legislation is drafted extremely widely, and will potentially apply to a range of civic organisations that have no involvement in the political process other than expressing views on public policy matters. This would be an extraordinary and radical attempt to regulate political discourse in Australia.

In addition, the proposed changes would impose a crippling red tape burden on many charities, religious bodies, community organisations and other civic groups. Penalties for non-compliance would be severe, and many requirements would effectively duplicate existing regulations that apply to charities and not-for-profit organisations.

A copy of the report can be read below or downloaded here.