Political Donations Inquiry

On 1 December 2016 the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory resolved to conduct an Inquiry into options for the reform of political funding and donations in the Northern Territory (‘the Inquiry’) under section 4A of the Inquiries Act..

The broad based Inquiry was part of an election commitment to restore trust and integrity to Government.

The Hon John Mansfield AM QC was appointed Commissioner to the Inquiry on 29 June 2017.

Related documents

Publication of any submission does not indicate acceptance of the submission or the contents of it.

  1. Should there be a cap on how much parties can spend on a campaign, how it should be calculated and what other details should be considered.
  2. Whether or not ‘full’ or ‘partial’ public funding of political parties and candidates should be provided.
  3. If a ‘partial’ public funding scheme is considered preferable, recommendations as to a potential model, the basis upon which such funding is to be provided and whether a threshold for such funding should be adopted (consideration should extend to any legislative/regulatory amendments that would be required to affect such a model).
  4. What is the appropriate level to cap the value of political donations to parties, groups, candidates, elected members and third-party campaigners; what methodology should be used to determine that cap; and what measures can be put in place to ensure that any caps are effective.
  5. Whether the current donations disclosure requirements are appropriate including potential changes to the method, timing and publication of disclosures.
  6. What controls should apply to the making of political donations, including:
    • whether or not particular entities or groups of donors should be excluded; and
    • any limitations or restrictions or caps on such political donations.
  7. Whether there have been any breaches of the Northern Territory Electoral Act in relation to donations made to political parties and candidates in the Northern Territory over the last 10 years.
  8. Any legislative or regulatory amendments that should be made to ensure that limits on political donations and disclosure requirements cannot be avoided through the use of third parties, associated entities or other means. To this end the inquiry will investigate:
    • The structure of Foundation 51 and the scope of its activities;
    • The relationship between Foundation 51 and the Northern Territory Government and its Agencies and any related conflicts of interest;
    • The relationship between Foundation 51 and the Country Liberal Party and any related conflicts of interest;
    • The extent of direct and indirect financial and in-kind support provided by Foundation 51 to the Country Liberal Party, Members of Parliament and candidates for Parliamentary elections;
    • The extent of breaches of the Northern Territory Electoral Act and any other Territory legislation by Foundation 51; and
    • The activities of Harold Nelson Holdings and its compliance with the Northern Territory Electoral Act.
  9. Any other matters relevant to political funding and donations.

Download Terms of Reference PDF (693.1 KB)

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