Australia's High Court has unanimously ruled Victoria's political donation laws unconstitutional, leaving the state without limits on donations or disclosure requirements ahead of the November state election. The decision struck down part 12 of the Electoral Act, which introduced caps but exempted major parties through 'nominated entities'.
Premier Jacinta Allan warned the ruling exposes politics to 'dark money from foreign billionaires' and pledged to introduce urgent legislation to restore integrity. However, the new laws will not be in place before the Nepean by-election on 2 May, leaving a funding free-for-all.
The case was brought by independent candidates Paul Hopper and Melissa Lowe, who argued the exemption unfairly benefited Labor, the Liberals, and the Nationals. The High Court went further, ruling the entire section impermissibly burdened the implied freedom of political communication.
Opposition and Greens leaders expressed alarm. Shadow Attorney General James Newbury called it 'a very big problem for the integrity of our electoral system', while Greens leader Ellen Sandell urged immediate action to prevent a US-style system where billionaires and corporations buy elections.
