Clive Palmer arrives at the United Australia Party’s national campaign launch in Coolum.Credit:Matt Dennien
Palmerspent a reported $100 million on the 2022 campaign,blanketing billboards and newspapers across the country with his signature yellow and black. United Australia Partyended up with one senator elected,Victorian Ralph Babet.
Most states have already implemented either donation caps or expenditure limits on their state and local elections.
At the federal level,there is no cap on spending. Only donations over $15,200 have to be disclosed by political parties and donors and those details are published every February for the previous financial year,a lag of seven to 19 months.
The committee is also going to examine ways to encourage greater voter participation,especially among First Nations people and Australians who are overseas during an election,and whether “truth in political advertising” laws are feasible and whether they would improve transparency and integrity.
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Several of the independent MPscampaigned on the need for truth in advertising laws among a raft of integrity measures. Member for Warringah Zali Steggall set up a reporting tool during the recent election campaign for people toreport dirty tricks and disinformation,and in 2021 introduced a bill to parliament that would have banned political parties and candidates from impersonating others.
Special Minister of State Don Farrell has said he wants tooverhaul donation laws and potentially introduce truth in advertising rules in mid-2023.