Election funding payments in 2020-21

Election funding entitlements are calculated as at the 20th day after polling day, and an automatic payment is made to eligible candidates and political parties. For the 2020 Eden-Monaro and Groom by-elections, the automatic payment amount was $10,344.252.

To receive election funding greater than the automatic payment, the agent of the eligible political party, candidate or Senate group must lodge a claim with the AEC setting out the electoral expenditure incurred.

During the year, the AEC received eight election funding claims, five for the Eden-Monaro by-election and three for the Groom by-election. Details of the amounts paid are published on the Transparency Register as claims are determined.

Eden Monaro by-election

Election funding claims for the Eden-Monaro by-election could be lodged from 24 July 2020 to 3 January 2021. The total amount of funding paid for the Eden-Monaro by-election was $245,990.04. This includes $51,721.25 in automatic payments and $194,268.79 in claims accepted.

Groom by-election

Election funding claims for the Groom by-election could be lodged from 18 December 2020 to 27 May 2021. The total amount of election funding paid for the by‑election was $235,037.58. This includes $41,377.00 in automatic payments and $193,660.58 in claims accepted.

Total election funding paid in 2020–21 was $481,027.62.

Annual financial disclosure returns 2020-21

Annual financial disclosure returns and amendments received in 2020–21 include:

• 589 annual financial disclosure returns and amendments
• 475 returns and 27 amendments for the 2019–20 financial year
• 30 returns and 28 amendments for the 2018–19 financial year
• two returns and 20 amendments for the 2017–18 financial year
• three returns and three amendments for the 2016–17 financial year
• one amendment for the 2015–16 financial year
• 30 election returns from the 2019 federal election, Eden-Monaro and Groom by‑elections.