This final report follows the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ interim report on the conduct of the 2022 election, tabled in June 2023.

The interim report’s recommendations can be found at Appendix C. Responding to the strong evidence received, the Committee made 15 recommendations, designed to strengthen and support Australia’s electoral system. In line with the focus of that report, the key recommendations:

• Prioritised increased transparency in the financial side of Australia’s electoral system, including by recommending a lowering of the donations disclosure threshold and the introduction of ‘real time’ disclosure requirements and donation caps;
• Sought to ensure that Australian elections remain a contest of ideas rather than money, by recommending the introduction of spending caps for elections and increased public funding to reduce parties’ and candidates’ reliance on donations;
• Addressed concerns around the rise in misinformation and disinformation by recommending the development of ‘truth in political advertising’ legislation and equipping the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to oversee these standards; and
• Recognised the need to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s electoral enfranchisement and participation by recommending further resourcing for the AEC to work directly with communities to address this.

This report therefore relates to the remaining Terms of Reference (see p. xi). As with the issues addressed in the interim report, the Committee received evidence suggesting that while Australia’s electoral system remains world-leading, there are areas where reform should be considered.