Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Election funding is payable in relation to a group in a Senate election under this section if:

none of the group’s members is a candidate endorsed by a registered political party; and

the total number of formal first preference votes given for candidates in the group is at least 4% of the total number of formal first preference votes cast in the Senate election.

A claim must be made for election funding of more than $10,000 to be paid (see section 297).

The amount of election funding that is payable in relation to the group is:

the amount worked out by multiplying $5 by the number of formal first preference votes given for candidates in the group in the Senate election, based on formal first preference votes counted as at the day mentioned in subsection (3); or

if the amount worked out under paragraph (a) is more than $10,000—the lesser of:

the amount worked out under paragraph (a); and

the amount of electoral expenditure that is claimed in respect of the group for the Senate election, and accepted by the Electoral Commission under section 298C.

The dollar amounts specified in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) are indexed under section 321.

The amount worked out under paragraph (2)(a) is based on formal first preference votes counted as at the day:

if the amount is to be paid under Subdivision BA—that is 20 days after the polling day for the Senate election; or

if the amount is to be paid under Subdivision C—a determination on the group’s interim claim or final claim (as the case requires) for election funding is made by the Electoral Commission.