This paper considers the constitutional and practical constraints upon reforming electoral campaign funding in Australia. It addresses the banning or capping of political donations, the limiting of campaign expenditure and the expansion of public funding of political parties. In doing so, it draws on the experience of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New...

The Audit Office exposed a scandal that sections of the press failed to take seriously, writes Rodney Tiffen.

Australia is at the forefront of professional and independent electoral administration, especially when assessed in international comparative studies. However, while there is often debate about the levels of fairness provided by the various electoral systems in use throughout Australia, less scrutiny has been applied to the electoral management bodies charged with administering these systems. Although...

Sarah Miskin and Greg Baker examine political finance disclosures under the current and proposed thresholds, using the annual returns of the major parties (the Liberal Party, the Nationals and the ALP) for the financial years 1998–99 to 2003–04. Proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act currently before parliament include measures to raise the thresholds for...

In a paper prepared for the Democratic Audit of Australia, George Winterton argues that the Hollingworth Affair has crystallised what had for some time been immanent, but perhaps not obvious: the public's sense of ownership and demand for accountability of this once obscure and remote, but now prominent, public office.