28 January 2000

The Australian Electoral Commission will be releasing the financial disclosure information from the annual returns of political parties, associated entities and donors, on Tuesday 1 February 2000.

For the first time this financial disclosure information will be available in three different formats:

• on the AEC’s internet website at www.aec.gov.au
• on CD-ROMs available for purchase
• paper copies available for inspection.

Brad Edgman, Director Funding and Disclosure said that providing the information in the three different formats means it is now more readily accessible to both the media and other interested persons.

Internet (www.aec.gov.au)

The AEC website will provide a database of the information disclosed in the annual returns with links to view the original returns. The website provides facilities for users to interrogate the information and run a series of reports.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the database, the definitive information is that contained on the actual returns. It is advised that any information obtained through interrogating the database should be confirmed to the linked original returns.

Any issues concerning the database should be referred to Roger Wills on (02) 6271 4430 or roger.wills@aec.gov.au.

CD-ROMs

The CD-ROMs contain scanned images of all the annual returns and have been developed to complement the information provided on the Internet database.

Whilst the original returns are all available on the Internet, the PDF file images of the larger political parties and associated entities returns may take some time to download.

The CD-ROMs, available at a cost of $30, can be ordered by emailing info@aec.gov.au. The CD-ROMs will be forwarded on receipt of payment.

Paper copies

Traditional paper copies of the annual returns will be available for inspection during normal business hours at:

AEC Central Office
West Block Offices
Queen Victoria Terrace
Canberra

Or by request at any of the AEC Head Offices located in all capital cities

Further information

Brad Edgman
Director Funding and Disclosure
Ph. (02) 6271 4413