Under Section 130PD of the Electoral Act 1985, certain political participants may request an early payment of a portion of their advance public funding before the capped expenditure period begins.
Eligible applicants
This provision applies to:
- Registered political parties (excluding entitled registered parties)
- Non-party members (e.g. independent candidates)
It applies to elections for both House of Assembly (section 130PA) and the Legislative Council (section 130PC).
Payment limits
Agents may request:
- Up to 10% of Payment A
or - A maximum of $100,000
(whichever is less).
Application period
The notice must be submitted:
- After 30 days from polling day of the previous general election
- Before the capped expenditure period begins for the upcoming general election
Notice requirements
The notice must:
- Be submitted in the form and manner determined by the Electoral Commissioner
- Include a verification that the payment is sought for the upcoming general election
- Include an undertaking that the funds will be used for political expenditure
Conditions and deductions
- The early payment will be deducted from the recipient’s Payment A entitlement
- The funds must be used only for political expenditure
- The expenditure is treated as incurred during the capped expenditure period
- Only one notice can be submitted per general election.