Canberra Liberals fined $16k for late gift disclosure returns - ABC Online

Posted December 02, 2013 14:48:19

The Canberra Liberals have been fined more than $16,000 for failing to lodge electoral returns on time.

New laws were introduced last year forcing political parties to declare any gifts worth one thousand dollars or more within 30 days of receiving them.

ACT Electoral Commissioner Phil Green says he has been working very hard to get parties to comply with those laws.

"Unfortunately, for this financial year, the Canberra Liberals haven't been able to get any of those returns in on time," he said.

"After we've received notice of 15 returns that were overdue we thought it was appropriate to issue an infringement notice.

"The late submission of each return carries a penalty of $1,100. The total amount owing is $16,500."

Mr Green says this is the first time the Electoral Commission has issued a fine for late returns.

"Now that we're in the second year we feel that parties should be able to comply with these deadlines," he said.

"We're not inclined to be lenient and it's really time to be enforcing the new laws."

The Canberra Liberals' reporting agent has 28 days to pay the penalty, to appeal the notice or to apply for an extension of time to finalise payment.

Topics: states-and-territories, act, canberra-2600