Real-time disclosure requirements

Real-time disclosure requirements

All third parties are required to use the ECQ’s Electronic Disclosure System (EDS) during their electoral disclosure period to disclose:

• all electoral expenditure once the total amount spent reaches $500 or more
• gifts and loans of $500 or more received and used for political expenditure
• gifts and loans of $500 or more made to a candidate, group of candidates, or a registered political party of another third party for a local government election.

Disclosure returns must be lodged within 7 business days of the electoral expenditure being incurred or the gift or loan being received. This is known as real-time disclosure.

Third parties and their agents should use the fact sheets listed below and the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 to understand their disclosure obligations. Most of the information in a disclosure return is accessible by the public.

After an election, third parties must also disclose the total value of all electoral expenditure as well as gifts and loans received or made. More information is available via the Lodging an election summary return tab above.

Failure to disclose gifts, loans, or electoral expenditure within the time required is an offence under the Local Government Electoral Act 2011.

Video overviews

• Real-time disclosure requirements for third parties
• When is electoral expenditure incurred?
• Obligations of donors

Links to further information:

• Fact sheet 34 – Real-time disclosure of electoral expenditure by third parties
• Fact sheet 35 – Real-time disclosure of gifts received by third parties