Election funding

Election funding is available in an election to registered political parties, candidates and non-party groups.

• A registered political party is eligible to receive election funding for the votes obtained by its endorsed candidates who together polled at least 4% of the total number of formal first preference votes cast in an electorate.
• An independent candidate is eligible to receive election funding if he or she polls at least 4% of the total number of formal first preference votes cast in the relevant electorate.
• A non-party group is eligible to receive funding if the number of eligible votes cast in the groups favour is at least 4% of the total number of formal first preference votes cast in the relevant electorate.

The amount each vote is worth in election funding is worked out according to the formula set out at section 207 of the Electoral Act 1992. For the period ending 31 December 2008, the rate is 147.722 cents per eligible vote.

Details of amounts paid to candidates and parties are available from the ACT Electoral Commission's annual reports.

Full details of the election funding scheme are available in the handbooks listed below.