Political Finance Database

Section 207K(2A)-(3), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023):
207K Overseas donation or contribution may not exceed $50
(2A) If a party secretary receives from an overseas person a donation that either on
its own or when aggregated with all other donations made by or on behalf of
the same overseas person during the same year ending 31 December exceeds $50, the party secretary must, within 20 working days of receipt of the donation,—
(a) return to the overseas person the total amount donated by the overseas
person, or its value, less $50; or
(b) if this is not possible, pay the total amount donated by the overseas per‐
son, or its value, less $50 to the Electoral Commission.
(3) If a candidate or party secretary receives, from a donor who is not an overseas
person (as defined in subsection (1)), a donation funded from contributions that
includes any contribution exceeding $50 made by or on behalf of an overseas person or any contributions made by or on behalf of the same overseas person that when aggregated exceed $50, the candidate or party secretary must, within 20 working days after notification of that fact under section 207C,—
(a) give back to the donor the amount of the donation, or its value; or
(b) if this is not possible, pay the amount of the donation, or its value, to the
Electoral Commission.
 

Section 207K(2A)-(3), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023):
207K Overseas donation or contribution may not exceed $50
(2A) If a party secretary receives from an overseas person a donation that either on
its own or when aggregated with all other donations made by or on behalf of
the same overseas person during the same year ending 31 December exceeds $50, the party secretary must, within 20 working days of receipt of the donation,—
(a) return to the overseas person the total amount donated by the overseas
person, or its value, less $50; or
(b) if this is not possible, pay the total amount donated by the overseas per‐
son, or its value, less $50 to the Electoral Commission.
(3) If a candidate or party secretary receives, from a donor who is not an overseas
person (as defined in subsection (1)), a donation funded from contributions that
includes any contribution exceeding $50 made by or on behalf of an overseas person or any contributions made by or on behalf of the same overseas person that when aggregated exceed $50, the candidate or party secretary must, within 20 working days after notification of that fact under section 207C,—
(a) give back to the donor the amount of the donation, or its value; or
(b) if this is not possible, pay the amount of the donation, or its value, to the Electoral Commission.

Section 207I(2), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
If an anonymous party donation is received by a party secretary, the party secretary must, within 20 working days, pay to the Electoral Commission - (a) the amount of the donation, or its value, less $50, if the party secretary believes or has reasonable grounds to suspect the donor is an overseas person; and the donation exceeds $50; or (b) the amount of the donation, or its value, less $1,500 if the party secretary does not have reasonable grounds to suspect the donor is an overseas person; and the donation exceeds $1,500.

Section 207I(1), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
If an anonymous candidate donation is received by a candidate, the candidate must, within 20 working days, pay to the Electoral Commission - (a) the amount of the donation, or its value, less $50, if the candidate believes or has reasonable grounds to suspect the donor is an overseas person; and the donation exceeds $50; or (b) the amount of the donation, or its value, less $1,500, if the candidate does not have reasonable grounds to suspect the donor is an overseas person; and the donation exceeds $1,500. 

Sections 6.9-6.12, Cabinet Manual (2023)
Cabinet and Ministers’ decision-making before and after an election
Pre-election period
6.9 In the period immediately before a general election, the government is not bound by the  caretaker convention unless the election has resulted from the government losing the  confidence of the House (see paragraphs 6.21 – 6.40 for information about the caretaker  convention). Successive governments, however, have chosen to restrict their actions to some extent during this time, in recognition of the fact that an election, and therefore  potentially a change of government, is imminent.

6.12 Particular care should be taken to ensure the appropriate use of officials for policy development purposes in the lead-up to a general election or a by-election. Policy work carried out by officials for a Minister should not be used to develop party political material or be labelled as party policy. A “government policy” should generally be confirmed through the Cabinet and Cabinet committee decision-making process and then announced by the Minister in their official capacity. Once government decisions have been announced, however, they can appear in party political material used in an election campaign, as long as they are identified as government decisions. (See also paragraphs 6.65 – 6.68 for information on provision of information by the public sector during transitions.)

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Subpart 1—General provisions relating to loans
212 Interpretation
In this Part,—
late period, in relation to the filing of a return, means the period commencing
on the day after the date on which the return is required to be filed and ending
on the day that is 15 working days later
lender, in relation to a loan, means the person providing the loan
loan,—
(a) to a candidate,—
(i) means a written or an oral agreement or arrangement under which
a lender lends money or agrees to lend money at specified dates or
on request or on the occurrence of a particular event for use in the
candidate’s campaign for election; but
(ii) does not include any money lent by a registered lender at a commercial interest rate:
(b) to a party,—
(i) means a written or an oral agreement or arrangement under which
a lender lends money or agrees to lend money at specified dates or
on request or on the occurrence of a particular event; but
(ii) does not include any money lent by a registered bank at a commercial interest rate loan amount means—
(a) the amount of money lent by the lender under the loan; or
(b) where any money may be lent under the loan in the future, the maximum
amount that may be owed at any one time; or 
(c) the total of the amounts in paragraphs (a) and (b), in any case where the
lender has provided, and may in the future provide, money under the loan
registered bank has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989 
registered lender means a lender who is registered as a financial service provider under the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008.

213 Party secretary may enter into loan on behalf of party
(1) A party may enter into a loan only with the authorisation of the party secretary.
(2) Only the party secretary may enter into a loan on behalf of the party.
(3) If the party secretary enters into a loan that is not in writing, the party secretary
must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, make a written record of the loan.
(4) A loan entered into in contravention of this section is an illegal contract for the
purposes of subpart 5 of Part 2 of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017.

214 Offence to enter into unauthorised loan
A person is guilty of—
(a) a corrupt practice who willfully contravenes section 213; and
(b) an illegal practice who contravenes section 213 in any other case.

214A Offence to enter into arrangement to circumvent section 213, 214C, or
214F
A person who enters into an agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any other person for the purpose of circumventing section 213, or for the purpose of circumventing the disclosure required by section 214C or 214F, is guilty of an illegal practice.

214B Records of loans: parties
(1) A party secretary must keep proper records of all loans entered into on behalf
of the party.
(2) A party secretary who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
$40,000.

214BA Records of loans: candidates
(1) A candidate must keep proper records of all loans they enter into.
(2) A candidate who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
$40,000.
 

Subpart 1, Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023)
Subpart 1—General provisions relating to loans
212 Interpretation
In this Part,—
late period, in relation to the filing of a return, means the period commencing on the day after the date on which the return is required to be filed and ending on the day that is 15 working days later
lender, in relation to a loan, means the person providing the loan
loan,—
(a) to a candidate,—
(i) means a written or an oral agreement or arrangement under which
a lender lends money or agrees to lend money at specified dates or
on request or on the occurrence of a particular event for use in the
candidate’s campaign for election; but
(ii) does not include any money lent by a registered lender at a commercial interest rate:
(b) to a party,—
(i) means a written or an oral agreement or arrangement under which
a lender lends money or agrees to lend money at specified dates or
on request or on the occurrence of a particular event; but
(ii) does not include any money lent by a registered bank at a commercial interest rate loan amount means—
(a) the amount of money lent by the lender under the loan; or
(b) where any money may be lent under the loan in the future, the maximum
amount that may be owed at any one time; or 
(c) the total of the amounts in paragraphs (a) and (b), in any case where the
lender has provided, and may in the future provide, money under the loan
registered bank has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989 
registered lender means a lender who is registered as a financial service provider under the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008.

213 Party secretary may enter into loan on behalf of party
(1) A party may enter into a loan only with the authorisation of the party secretary.
(2) Only the party secretary may enter into a loan on behalf of the party.
(3) If the party secretary enters into a loan that is not in writing, the party secretary
must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, make a written record of the loan.
(4) A loan entered into in contravention of this section is an illegal contract for the
purposes of subpart 5 of Part 2 of the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017.

214 Offence to enter into unauthorised loan
A person is guilty of—
(a) a corrupt practice who willfully contravenes section 213; and
(b) an illegal practice who contravenes section 213 in any other case.

214A Offence to enter into arrangement to circumvent section 213, 214C, or
214F
A person who enters into an agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any other person for the purpose of circumventing section 213, or for the purpose of circumventing the disclosure required by section 214C or 214F, is guilty of an illegal practice.

214B Records of loans: parties
(1) A party secretary must keep proper records of all loans entered into on behalf
of the party.
(2) A party secretary who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
$40,000.

214BA Records of loans: candidates
(1) A candidate must keep proper records of all loans they enter into.
(2) A candidate who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
$40,000.
 

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Electoral Act 1993, (Amended 2023).

Section 74, Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022).
74 Public money to be appropriated for funding election programmes and election advertising in relation to general election
(1) In relation to each general election, the Minister of Justice must give notice to
the Electoral Commission of the amount of money appropriated by Parliament
for the purpose of enabling parties to fund—
(a) all of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of party
election programmes; and
(b) all or part of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast
of candidate election programmes; and
(c) all or part of the production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to—
(i) party election programmes; and
(ii) candidate election programmes; and
(d) all or part of the publishing costs incurred in relation to the publication of election advertisements on the Internet during the election period; and
(e) all or part of production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to election
advertisements published on the Internet—
(i) during the election period; or
(ii) before and during the election period. 
(2) The Electoral Commission must decide, under section 79, how the amount in
subsection (1) is to be allocated to parties.
(3) For a general election that takes place after 2017 (a subsequent general election), an amount of money equal to the amount of public money allocated under section 79 at the immediately preceding general election must, unless an Act of Parliament expressly provides otherwise, be deemed to have been appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of enabling parties to fund the costs specified in subsection (1) incurred in relation to the subsequent general election.
(4) An amount of money deemed by subsection (3) to have been appropriated by
Parliament for the purposes specified in that subsection is payable out of public money for those purposes without further appropriation than this section.

Section 78(1)(b), Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022)
78 Criteria for allocating money to party
(1) A party may only receive an allocation of the money referred to in section 74 if the party—
(a) has provided to the Electoral Commission a notice in accordance with section 76; and
(b) was registered on the Register of Political Parties at the time of the dissolution or expiry of Parliament.

Section 78(2), Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022)
In allocating money to a party, the Electoral Commission must have regard
to—
(a) the number of persons who voted at the immediately preceding general election for that party and for candidates belonging to that party; and
(b) the number of persons who voted at any by-election held since the immediately preceding general election for any candidate belonging to that party; and
(c) the number of members of Parliament who were members of that party immediately before the dissolution or expiration of Parliament; and
(d) any relationships that exist between a party and any other party; and
(e) any other indications of public support for that party, such as the results of public opinion polls and the number of persons who are members of that party; and
(f) the need to provide a fair opportunity for each party to which subsection
(1) applies to convey its policies to the public by the broadcasting of election programmes on television.

Section 74(1), Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022)
"Direct public funds are provided for funding election programmes and election advertising in relation to the general election. In relation to each general election, the Minister of Justice must give notice to the Electoral Commission of the amount of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of enabling parties to fund—
(a) all of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of party election programmes; and
(b) all or part of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of candidate election programmes; and
(c) all or part of the production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to—
(i) party election programmes; and
(ii) candidate election programmes; and
(d) all or part of the publishing costs incurred in relation to the publication of election advertisements on the Internet during the election period; and
(e) all or part of production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to election advertisements published on the Internet—
(i) during the election period; or
(ii) before and during the election period.

Section 74(1), Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022)
In relation to each general election, the Minister of Justice must give notice to the Electoral Commission of the amount of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of enabling parties to fund—
(a) all of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of party election programmes; and
(b) all or part of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of candidate election programmes; and
(c) all or part of the production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to—
(i) party election programmes; and
(ii) candidate election programmes; and
(d) all or part of the publishing costs incurred in relation to the publication of election advertisements on the Internet during the election period; and
(e) all or part of production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to election advertisements published on the Internet—
(i) during the election period; or
(ii) before and during the election period."

Section 78(2), Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022)
In allocating money to a party, the Electoral Commission must have regard to—
(a) the number of persons who voted at the immediately preceding general election for that party and for candidates belonging to that party; and
(b) the number of persons who voted at any by-election held since the immediately preceding general election for any candidate belonging to that party; and
(c) the number of members of Parliament who were members of that party immediately before the dissolution or expiration of Parliament; and
(d) any relationships that exist between a party and any other party; and
(e) any other indications of public support for that party, such as the results of public opinion polls and the number of persons who are members of that party; and
(f) the need to provide a fair opportunity for each party to which subsection (1) applies to convey its policies to the public by the broadcasting of election programmes on television.

Section 74(1), Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022)
"In relation to each general election, the Minister of Justice must give notice to the Electoral Commission of the amount of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of enabling parties to fund—
(a) all of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of party election programmes; and
(b) all or part of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of candidate election programmes; and
(c) all or part of the production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to—
(i) party election programmes; and
(ii) candidate election programmes; and
(d) all or part of the publishing costs incurred in relation to the publication of election advertisements on the Internet during the election period; and
(e) all or part of production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to election advertisements published on the Internet—
(i) during the election period; or
(ii) before and during the election period."

Section 154, Electoral Act 1993 (amended 2023)
Candidates’ meetings 
154 Use of public schoolrooms for election meetings
(1) Any candidate at an election may, for the purpose of holding public meetings of electors for electoral purposes during the period of an election, use free of charge, other than the cost of lighting and heating, and of cleaning after use, and of repairing any damage done, any suitable room in any public primary school or intermediate school or secondary school after the ordinary school hours, subject to the following provisions:
(a) 3 days’ notice of the proposed public meeting shall be given to the governing body of the school:
(b) the use of the school shall be granted in the order of receipt of applications by or on behalf of the candidates:
(c) no candidate shall have the use of the same room on a second occasion if any other candidate who has not before used it desires to make use of it at the same time under this section. 
(2) If it is proved that any such meeting was not a public meeting within the meaning of this section, the person by whom and the candidate on whose behalf the meeting was convened shall each be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the term candidate means—
(a) any person who has declared his or her intention of becoming a candidate either by advertisement in a newspaper, or by circular, or by announcement at a public meeting, or by duly consenting to nomination, but does not include a candidate who has withdrawn his or her nomination; or
(b) any person whose name has been included in a list submitted under section 127.

Section 216(1)-(2), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
(1) Every person is guilty of a corrupt practice who commits the offence of bribery.
(2) Every person commits the offence of bribery who, directly or indirectly, by himself or herself or by any other person on his or her behalf—
(a) gives any money or procures any office to or for any voter, or to or for any other person on behalf of any voter, or to or for any other person, in order to induce any voter to vote or refrain from voting; or
(b) corruptly does any such act as aforesaid on account of any voter having voted or refrained from voting; or
(c) makes any such gift or procurement as aforesaid to or for any person in order to induce that person to procure, or endeavour to procure, the return of any person or candidates at an election or the vote of any voter,—
or who, upon or in consequence of any such gift or procurement as aforesaid, procures, or engages, promises, or endeavours to procure, the return of any person or candidates at any election or the vote of any voter. 

Section 206C, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Maximum amount of party’s total election expenses
(1) If a party is listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote, the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must not exceed—
(a) $1,388,000 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A); and
(b) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A) for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party.
(2) If a party is not listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote, the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must not exceed $32,600 for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party.
(3) The amounts in subsections (1) and (2) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

Section 206C, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Maximum amount of party’s total election expenses
(1) If a party is listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote, the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must not exceed—
(a) $1,388,000 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A); and
(b) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A) for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party.
(2) If a party is not listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote, the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must not exceed $32,600 for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party.
(3) The amounts in subsections (1) and (2) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

Section 205C, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Maximum amount of candidate’s total election expenses
(1) The total election expenses of a candidate in respect of any regulated period must not exceed—
(a) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a general election; and (b) $65,200 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a by-election.
(2) The amounts in subsection (1) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

Section 205C, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Maximum amount of candidate’s total election expenses
(1) The total election expenses of a candidate in respect of any regulated period must not exceed—
(a) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a general election; and
(b) $65,200 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a by-election.
(2) The amounts in subsection (1) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

Sections 204B and 206V, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Persons who may promote election advertisements
(1) A person is entitled to promote an election advertisement if the person is—
(a) a party secretary:
(b) a candidate:
(c) a registered promoter:
(d) an unregistered promoter who does not incur advertising expenses exceeding $15,700 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A) in relation to election advertisements published during the regulated period.
(2) The amount in subsection (1)(d) is inclusive of goods and services tax.
(3) Every person who willfully promotes an election advertisement without being entitled to do so under subsection (1) is guilty of an illegal practice. Maximum amount of registered promoter’s total election expenses.
(1) The total election expenses of a registered promoter in respect of any regulated period must not exceed $391,000 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A).
(2) The amount in subsection (1) is inclusive of goods and services tax.

Sections 205C and 206C, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Subpart 1—Election expenses of candidates
205C Maximum amount of candidate’s total election expenses
(1) The total election expenses of a candidate in respect of any regulated period
must not exceed—
(a) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a general election; and
(b) $65,200 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a by-election.
(2) The amounts in subsection (1) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

206C Maximum amount of party’s total election expenses
(1) If a party is listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote,
the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must
not exceed—
(a) $1,388,000 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A); and
(b) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A) for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party
(2) If a party is not listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote, the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must not exceed $32,600 for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party.
(3) The amounts in subsections (1) and (2) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

Sections 205C and 206C, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Subpart 1—Election expenses of candidates
205C Maximum amount of candidate’s total election expenses
(1) The total election expenses of a candidate in respect of any regulated period
must not exceed—
(a) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a general election; and
(b) $65,200 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A), in the case of a candidate at a by-election.
(2) The amounts in subsection (1) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

206C Maximum amount of party’s total election expenses
(1) If a party is listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote,
the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must
not exceed—
(a) $1,388,000 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A); and
(b) $32,600 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A) for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party
(2) If a party is not listed in the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote, the total election expenses of that party in respect of any regulated period must not exceed $32,600 for each electoral district contested by a candidate for the party.
(3) The amounts in subsections (1) and (2) are inclusive of goods and services tax.

Section 210C, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Parties must file reports on their election expenses. Where there are party donations received from the same donor exceeding $20,000
(1) A party secretary must file with the Electoral Commission a return in respect of every party donation received from a donor during the period specified in subsection
(2) (the specified period) that—
(a) exceeds $20,000; or
(b) when aggregated with all previous donations received from the donor in the specified period, exceeds $20,000. (6)A return must be filed under subsection (1)(a) or (b) within 10 working days of the donation being received by the party secretary. 

Sections 206I and 206IA, Electoral Act 1993, 9amended 2023)
Return of party’s election expenses
(1) Within 90 working days after polling day, a party secretary must file a return of the party’s election expenses with the Electoral Commission.
(2) The return must be—
(a) in the form required by the Electoral Commission; and
(b) accompanied by an auditor’s report obtained under section 206L.  Return of party’s allocation expenses
(1) Within 90 days after polling day for a general election, a party secretary must file with the Electoral Commission a return of expenses incurred by the party that have been funded from the party’s allocation.
(2) The return must be in a form approved by the Electoral Commission and include details of—
(a) the amount of the party’s allocation; and
(b) all accounts sent by the party to the Electoral Commission under section 80B(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 in respect of the expenditure of the party’s allocation."

Sections 205K(1) and 209(1), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
"Return of candidate’s election expenses
(1) Within 70 working days after polling day, a candidate must file a return of election expenses with the Electoral Commission.
(2) A return under subsection (1) must be in the form required by the Electoral Commission. Return of candidate donations
(1) A candidate must, at the same time as filing a return of election expenses under section 205K, file with the Electoral Commission a return setting out—
(a) the details specified in subsection (2) in respect of every candidate donation (other than a donation of the kind referred to in paragraphs (c) and
(d)) received by him or her that, either on its own or when aggregated with all other donations made by or on behalf of the same donor for use in the same campaign, exceeds $1,500 in sum or value; and
(b) whether section 207C applies to any donation and, if so, and to the extent known or ascertainable from the information supplied under that section, the details specified in subsection (3) in respect of every contribution received from a New Zealand person that, either on its own or when aggregated with other contributions made by or on behalf of the same contributor to the donation, exceeds $1,500 in sum or value; and
(c) the details specified in subsection (4) in respect of every anonymous candidate donation received by him or her—
(i) exceeding $50, in any case where the candidate believes or has reasonable grounds to suspect the donor is an overseas person; or
(ii) exceeding $1,500, in any other case; and
(d) the details specified in subsection (5) in respect of every candidate donation received by him or her from an overseas person that, either on its own or when aggregated with all other donations made by or on behalf of the same overseas person for use in the same campaign, exceeds $50; and
(e) the details specified in subsection (5A) in respect of every contribution to a candidate donation received by him or her from an overseas person that, either on its own or when aggregated with other contributions made by the same overseas person to the donation, exceeds $50.
 

Section 206ZC, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Return of registered promoter’s election expenses
(1) This section applies to a registered promoter whose total election expenses in respect of any regulated period exceed $100,000 (inclusive of goods and services tax).
(2) Within 70 working days after polling day, the registered promoter must file a return of election expenses with the Electoral Commission.
(3) If the registered promoter is not an individual or a company, the return must be filed by the registered promoter’s representative who is duly authorised to file the return.

Section 206Q, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
The Electoral Commission may publish party election expenses. Return of party’s election expenses and return of party’s allocation expenses to be publicly available
(1) The Electoral Commission may publish, in any manner that the Electoral Commission considers appropriate, every return and every accompanying auditor’s report filed under section 206I or 206IA.
(2) During the public inspection period, the Electoral Commission must make available for public inspection a copy of every return and report referred to in subsection (1).
(3) The Electoral Commission may make inspection under subsection (2) subject to the payment of any charges that may be made under the Official Information Act 1982.

Section 209(1), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Return of candidate donations
(1) A candidate must, at the same time as filing a return of election expenses under section 205K, file with the Electoral Commission a return setting out—
(a) the details specified in subsection (2) in respect of every candidate donation (other than a donation of the kind referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d)) received by him or her that, either on its own or when aggregated with all other donations made by or on behalf of the same donor for use in the same campaign, exceeds $1,500 in sum or value; and
(b) whether section 207C applies to any donation and, if so, and to the extent known or ascertainable from the information supplied under that section, the details specified in subsection (3) in respect of every contribution received from a New Zealand person that, either on its own or when aggregated with other contributions made by or on behalf of the same contributor to the donation, exceeds $1,500 in sum or value; and
(c) the details specified in subsection (4) in respect of every anonymous candidate donation received by him or her—
(i) exceeding $50, in any case where the candidate believes or has reasonable grounds to suspect the donor is an overseas person; or
(ii) exceeding $1,500, in any other case; and
(d) the details specified in subsection (5) in respect of every candidate donation received by him or her from an overseas person that, either on its own or when aggregated with all other donations made by or on behalf of the same overseas person for use in the same campaign, exceeds $50; and
(e) the details specified in subsection (5A) in respect of every contribution to a candidate donation received by him or her from an overseas person that, either on its own or when aggregated with other contributions made by the same overseas person to the donation, exceeds $50.

Section 210(1), Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Annual return of party donations
(1) A party secretary must file with the Electoral Commission, for each year, a return of party donations setting out—
(a) the details specified in subsection (2) for every party donation (other than a donation of the kind referred to in paragraphs (c) to (e)) received by him or her that, either on its own or when aggregated with all other donations made by or on behalf of the same donor during the year, exceeds $5,000 in sum or value.

Section 206Q, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Return of party’s election expenses and return of party’s allocation expenses to be publicly available (1) The Electoral Commission may publish, in any manner that the Electoral Commission considers appropriate, every return and every accompanying auditor’s report filed under section 206I or 206IA.

Sections 205K and 206I, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
The Electoral Commission   
(1) Within 70 working days after polling day, a candidate must file a return of election expenses with the Electoral Commission.
Return of party’s election expenses
(1) Within 90 working days after polling day, a party secretary must file a return of the party’s election expenses with the Electoral Commission.

Section 6, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Powers of Electoral Commission
(1) The Electoral Commission may, if it considers that it is necessary for the proper discharge of its functions,—
(a) initiate, sponsor, and carry out any studies or research:
(b) make any inquiries:
(c) consult with any persons or classes of persons:
(d) publicise, in any manner that it thinks fit, any parts of its work:
(e) provide information and advice on any matter—
(i) to the Minister for the Minister’s consideration:
(ii) to the Minister for presentation to the House of Representatives:
(f) request advice, assistance, and information from any government department or any State enterprise as defined in section 2 of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986.

Section 6, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
Powers of Electoral Commission
(1) The Electoral Commission may, if it considers that it is necessary for the proper discharge of its functions,—
(a) initiate, sponsor, and carry out any studies or research:
(b) make any inquiries:
(c) consult with any persons or classes of persons:
(d) publicise, in any manner that it thinks fit, any parts of its work:
(e) provide information and advice on any matter—
(i) to the Minister for the Minister’s consideration:
(ii) to the Minister for presentation to the House of Representatives:
(f) request advice, assistance, and information from any government department or any State enterprise as defined in section 2 of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986."

Sections 207D and 224, Electoral Act 1993, (amended 2023)
A donor who fails to comply with section 207C with the intention of concealing the identity of any or all of the contributors commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $40,000. Punishment for corrupt or illegal practice
(1) Every person who is guilty of any corrupt practice is liable on conviction to either or both of the following:
(a) a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years:
(b) a fine not exceeding—
(i) $100,000 in the case of a person who is a constituency candidate, party secretary, or registered promoter and who is convicted of any corrupt practice under Part 6A; or
(ii) $40,000 in any other case.
(2) Every person who is guilty of any illegal practice is liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding—
(a) $40,000 in the case of a person who is a constituency candidate, party secretary, or registered promoter and who is convicted of any illegal practice under Part 6AA or 6A; or 
(b) $40,000 in the case of a person who is an unregistered promoter and who is convicted of any illegal practice under section 204B or 204D; or
(c) $10,000 in any other case.