26 September 2022
It is becoming clear that there is a degree of confusion around the new campaign and large gift donation return provisions for the 2022 periodic elections (for councils other than Adelaide).
We summarise and simplify the candidate obligations as follows –
- candidates must lodge two campaign donations returns (CDR) – the first to be lodged between 28 September and 4 October 2022 – and the second to be lodged within 30 days of the conclusion of the elections ( a defined term which means when the ECSA has certified the last result of the elections);
- for persons who are currently elected members and are either already re-elected unopposed or are facing an election –
- the disclosure period for the first CDR is 1 December 2018 to 27 September 2022 inclusive and is to be lodged, as above, between 28 September and 4 October 2022; and
- the disclosure period for the second CDR is 1 December 2018 to 1 December 2022 and is to be lodged within 30 days of the conclusion of the elections;
- for persons who are not currently elected members and who are either already elected unopposed or are facing an election –
- the first CDR has a disclosure period commencing on the day that they announced their candidacy or nominated, whichever was the earlier, to 27 September 2022 and is to be lodged between 28 September and 4 October 2022; and
- the second CDR has a disclosure period commencing on the day that they announced their candidacy or nominated, whichever was the earlier, to 1 December 2022 and is to be lodged within 30 days of the conclusion of the elections;
- for all candidates in these periodic elections, a large gifts return is only required to be completed and furnished for gifts received with a value in excess of $2,500, within 5 days after receipt. Unlike CDRs, the legislation does not mandate that a ‘nil’ large gift return is required to be lodged.
Any questions or for further information, please contact:
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