43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?

"204A Interpretation

...promoter means a person who initiates or instigates an election advertisement that—

(a)  is published; or

(b)  is to be published 

...registered promoter—

1. (a)  means a promoter who is registered under section 204N; and

2. (b)  includes a promoter who at any time in the regulated period has been registered under section 204N 

unregistered promoter means a promoter who is not—

(a)  a registered promoter; or

(b)  a constituency candidate; or

(c)  a list candidate; or

(d)  a party; or

(e)  a person involved in the administration of—

(i)  the affairs of a candidate in relation to the candidate’s election campaign; or

(ii)  the affairs of a party. 

204B Persons who may promote election advertisements

(1)  A person is entitled to promote an election advertisement if the person is—

(a)  a party secretary:

(b)  a candidate:

(c)  a registered promoter:

(d)  an unregistered promoter who does not incur advertising expenses exceeding $12,900 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor- General by Order in Council under section 266A) in relation to election advertisements published during the regulated period.

(2)  The amount in subsection (1)(d) is inclusive of goods and services tax.

(3)  Every person who wilfully promotes an election advertisement without being

entitled to do so under subsection (1) is guilty of an illegal practice. 

...

206V Maximum amount of registered promoter’s total election expenses

(1)  The total election expenses of a registered promoter in respect of any regulated period must not exceed $321,000 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor-General by Order in Council under section 266A).

(2)  The amount in subsection (1) is inclusive of goods and services tax."

Sections 204B and 206V, Electoral Act of 1993 

The key provisions apply to "registered promoters" and "unregistered promoters", as defined below, and limits their advertising expenses, respectively, to $321,000 and "$12,900 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the Governor General by Order in Council ... )" 

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