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Australian Electoral Commission
Members of the House of Representatives (MP) or Senators who receive one or more gifts during a financial year that were made for federal purposes must lodge an annual disclosure return.
A federal purpose means the purpose of incurring electoral expenditure, or creating or communicating electoral matter.
The MP or Senator is responsible for lodging the annual return. However, an MP or Senator may authorise another person to provide the return on their behalf.
NOTE: If an MP or Senator did not receive any gifts during the financial year that were made for federal purposes, a return does not need to be provided.
The annual return covering the financial year 1 July to 30 June must be lodged by 17 November each year.
The annual return can be lodged any time from 1 July each year.
If a person becomes or ceases to be an MP or Senator during the financial year, the annual return must be provided in relation to the whole financial year.
An MP or Senator must disclose the following information in the annual return:
The Financial Disclosure Guide for MPs and Senators is designed to assist MPs and Senators to understand their financial disclosure obligations under Part XX of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act).
The guide provides information derived from the Electoral Act as well as from the experiences of the AEC in the administration of the Commonwealth funding and disclosure scheme.
The annual return can be lodged through the eReturns portal.
For more information on lodging an annual return go to Lodge a financial disclosure return.
For important terms that lodging officers need to complete annual returns, explore Financial Disclosure FAQs.
Further information and examples can be found in the Financial Disclosure Guide for MPs and Senators 2023-24.
MPs and Senators should have adequate financial recording systems and procedures to enable the return, which will be publicly available, to be properly completed.
Relevant records must be retained for a minimum of 5 years following the end of the reporting period.
A person or entity who fails to comply with these requirements is subject to civil penalties.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.