Here is our joint statement:
16 April 2026
Dear Premier, Leader of the Opposition, Party Leaders, and Independent MPs,
Re: Commit to Donations Transparency Amidst Electoral Law Void
We represent civil society organisations committed to the protection and strengthening of Australian democracy.
The High Court’s decision to overturn Part 12 of the Victorian Electoral Act creates an opportunity for the Victorian Parliament to implement enduring reforms that reduce corporate influence on our democracy, ensure a level playing field for all candidates and protect the ability of civil society and community voices to be active in public debates around elections.
However this will take time, and in the meantime, there are no laws governing political donations in Victoria.
This opens a dangerous window for corporate and vested interests to exploit, potentially flooding Victorian state politics with undisclosed dark money. This situation poses a risk to the integrity of Victoria’s electoral system and could further erode the public’s trust in our democratic system. With the state election just months away, this is an important moment for all parties to demonstrate their commitment to political integrity.
We urge all Victorian political parties and candidates to commit to upholding the essential democratic principle of transparency. Specifically, we call on you to:
- Voluntarily disclose, in real-time, all political donations over $1,000 received from this date forward, until new legislation is passed by the Victorian Parliament that restores this transparency.
- Agree that any new electoral laws will apply retrospectively to cover all donations and spending made during this current period of legal uncertainty.
The time for transparency is now. Voluntary donations disclosures would protect public trust and the integrity of our democracy.
Sincerely,
