Inquiry into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 2016 Federal Election and matters related thereto
1. All aspects of the 2016 Federal election and matters related thereto, and without limiting the scope of the committee's
inquiry, with particular reference to:
(a) The application of provisions requiring authorisation of electoral material to all forms of communication to voters;
(b) The potential applicability of ‘truth in advertising' provisions to communication to voters including third-party
carriage services;
(c) The options available to Parliament to ensure consistent application of disclosure rules to and the regulation of all
entities undertaking campaign activities; and,
(d) The potential application of new technology to voting, scrutiny and counting, with particular reference to its
application to remote voting, ADF personnel on deployment and supporting vision-impaired voters.
2. The extent of donations and contributions from foreign sources, persons, entities and foreign-owned subsidiaries to
political parties, associated entities and other third parties and entities undertaking campaign activities, and the options
available to Parliament to regulate these.
3. The current donations, contributions, expenditure and disclosure regime, its application and timeliness and alternative
approaches available to Parliament.
4. The extent to which fundraising and expenditure by third parties is conducted in concert with registered political parties
and the applicability and utilisation of tax deductibility by entities involved in campaign activities.
5. Any matters related to the terms outlined above.
In considering these matters, the Committee is encouraged to consider previous inquiries and reports of past committees, regulatory developments implemented by States and Territories and recent determinations of the High Court with respect to these.
The Committee is requested to provide a report in respect of item 1a by December 1, 2016, and item 2 by March 3, 2017.