Public election funding announced

Four political parties and one non-party candidate are now eligible to receive public election funding following the October 15^th 2016 election.

Acting Electoral Commissioner Ro Spence, today confirmed who was able to receive public funding saying “ACT Labor, the Canberra Liberals and the ACT Greens all reached the 4% threshold in each of the five electorates” Mr Spence continued, “with the Australian Sex Party ACT also reaching the threshold in Brindabella and Mr Kim Huynh, a non-party candidate, achieving the required votes in the electorate of Ginninderra.”

“For the 15 October 2016 election the rate of public election funding was calculated at $8.00 per eligible vote,” Mr Spence said. “Public funding payments totalled $1,716,784.00 across the four parties and the one non-party candidate.”

With $8.00 per vote, the Labor party is able to receive $750,488 the Liberals can get $717,056 the Greens party are eligible for $200,768 the Australian Sex party can collect $29,552 and the non-party candidate Mr Kim Huynh is allowed $18,920.

A registered political party will receive funding if the votes for its candidates totalled at least 4% of the total number of first preference votes cast in an electorate.

A non-party candidate is the same if they receive at least 4% of the total number of first preference votes they also qualify.

“No party or candidate is obliged to accept public funding,” Mr Spence said.