Current public debate has seen the Electoral Commission assemble this summary of what happens around some other English-speaking Westminster democracies in response to requests for information.

Australia

Australian political parties are funded for the federal election campaign in direct relation to their electoral popularity.  The money is paid immediately after the election, so each party must fund its campaign from its own resources and will then be reimbursed depending on its vote share.  In 2004 each party received AUD$1.94 per first preference vote.  The total amount to be distributed is set by parliament and the allocation is done by the Australian Electoral Commission.  Australian MPs have a printing and a communications allowance.  Political parties and their associated entities are obliged to submit annual donation disclosure returns for donations over $10,000 and there is a prohibition on anonymous gifts.  The maximum There are no campaign spending limits and no disclosure of campaign spending.

“The [Australian] federal parliament has determined that the Electoral Act should not regulate the content of political messages contained in electoral advertising, rather, the intent of the Electoral Act is to ensure electors are informed about the source of political advertising, and to ensure that political advertising does not mislead or deceive electors about the way in which a vote must be cast”.  An “electoral advertisement” is defined as any advertisement, in any medium, that contains electoral matter, which is defined as mater intended or likely to affect voting in an election.  The term, and thus electoral advertising, is given a very wide definition.

Canada

Canadian candidates and parties receive a partial reimbursement of the election expenses, related to the spending limit. Any candidate who receives 10 percent or more of the vote in his or her electoral district is eligible for the reimbursement of 60 percent of his or her election expenses and personal expenses.  Any political party which received two percent of the vote nationwide is eligible to receive a reimbursement of 50 percent of its election expenses.  Canadian parties which won two percent of the vote nationwide also receive a quarterly allowance of an annual amount equivalent to CAD$1.75 per vote received.  Campaign spending is limited using a formula that considers the number of electors and population density.  Private donations are limited to CAD$5,000 per year and all donations over $25 must be receipted.  It is an offence to conceal the identity of anyone making a contribution.

The Canadian definition of “election advertising” encompasses advertising during an election period that promotes or opposes a registered party or the election of a candidate, including by taking a position on an issue with which the registered party or candidate is associated.

United Kingdom

UK parties do not receive any direct state funding for the election campaign.  Each candidate is entitled to send an election pamphlet or letter to every voter in their electorate free of charge of postage.  Each party is allocated time for ‘party political broadcasts’ on all TV channels simultaneously.  The broadcast allocation reflects their size in parliament.  Parties must report all donations in excess of £5,000 to the Electoral Commission on a quarterly basis, and on a weekly basis during elections.  Third parties that wish to spend more than £10,000 in England, or £5,000 in each of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland supporting or opposing a party or group of candidates must register with the Electoral Commission as a recognised third party.  There are limits on campaign expenditure by each candidate but not by the party.

In the UK no political advertising is allowed on TV or radio, other than the party political broadcasts which are allocated to parties.  Regulation of election advertising is contained in a number of different Acts. For the purposes of the legal requirement, promoting or procuring the election of a candidate includes material criticising or disparaging another candidate at the election.

External Links

More information is available on the websites of the Australian Electoral Commission, Elections Canada, and the UK Electoral Commission.