Determining if changes to electoral legislation have kept foreign donations out of Australian elections will be the focus of a public hearing by federal parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee.

Media release issue date: Monday, 22 March 2021

Determining if changes to electoral legislation have kept foreign donations out of Australian elections will be the focus of a public hearing by federal parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee. Committee Chair Senator James McGrath said, ‘The public hearing is an opportunity to examine whether changes to the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Act 2018, have improved transparency and accountability of foreign political donations and whether the Act’s objectives have been achieved’. The committee is also interested in the impacts of amendments to the original bill that are relevant to charitable issue-based advocacy. The committee will hear from the Australian Electoral Commission, charities and not-for profits. Date: Monday, 29 March 2021 Time: 12.00 pm to 4.15 pm AEDT Place: Committee Room 1R1 and via teleconference Information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference, may be found on the inquiry webpage. The hearing will be broadcast live on the Parliament of Australia website. Media inquiries Sam Jackson Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0439 477 005 or (07) 5441 1800 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au