Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Senate

   In Committee

   The Senate considered government amendments to the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024, which Minister Don Farrell defended as measures to reduce election costs and improve transparency. Senator Pauline Hanson and Senator David Pocock opposed the bill, arguing it favoured major parties and disadvantaged new entrants, while the United Australia Party proposed amendments to abolish public funding and introduce mandatory voter identification. The government amendments were passed, but subsequent divisions and amendments from the Jacqui Lambie Network, Australia's Voice, Senator Pocock, and the United Australia Party were defeated.

   Outcome: Division 36 passed with 28 votes to 18, while Divisions 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 were not passed.

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2. Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024, which implements recommendations from the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters regarding donation disclosure, spending caps, and public funding. Coalition members supported the bill, noting that government amendments raised the disclosure threshold to $5,000 and the donation cap to $50,000, addressing concerns about privacy and administrative burden. Independent senators and the Greens opposed the legislation, arguing it entrenched major party advantages, lacked proper scrutiny, and contained loopholes that allowed significant corporate influence while disadvantaging independent candidates. The debate concluded with the rejection of amendments from the Greens, One Nation, and Senator Thorpe, followed by the passage of the bill's second reading.

   Outcome: The bill was passed on second reading after amendments from the Greens, One Nation, and Senator Thorpe were rejected.

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3. Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Senate

   Third Reading
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4. Thursday 13 February 2025 · House of Representatives

   Consideration of Senate Message
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