8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?
Australia
'Disclosure of certain information (e.g. details of gifts and donations) is subject to a minimum threshold below which disclosure is not required.The financial disclosure scheme was amended with effect from 8 December 2005 to increase the threshold to 'more than $10 000'. This amount is indexed with effect from 1 July each year based on increases in the consumer price index.' (Source: Australian Election Commission website, 'Disclosure Threshold', available at http://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/public_funding/threshold.htm)
'In Australia, any donations to parties or candidates below the current threshold for 1 July 2017-30 June 2018 of $13,500 can remain anonymous. In addition, due to a loophole, a donor can conceivably donate separately to each State and Territory branch of a Federal party, as well as the Federal party, resulting a total of $108,000 (8 X $13,500) being able to be donated without disclosing the identity of the donor.' (Source: AEC http://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/public_funding/threshold.htm, MoneyPoliticsTransparency.org.2016. Australia).
