31 January 2006

The 2004/05 annual financial disclosure returns from political parties, associated entities and donors will be made available for public inspection from Wednesday, 1 February 2006 at 9:00am (ESST).

Those interested may access the annual returns on the AEC’s website at http://fadar.aec.gov.au/

The website provides for some analysis of the information contained in the returns as well as images of the actual returns lodged. Information about the funding and disclosure scheme is also available in a series of handbooks to be found on the website at http://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Political_Disclosures/index.htm

There is also a subscriber update service, which allows for interested people to be advised when late returns are received and updates are made to the website.

A CD containing images only (not the database) of the returns lodged by 20 January 2006 is available for purchase ($37.00, GST inclusive) from the AEC’s national office in Canberra or its main offices in capital cities.

Paper copies of the returns are also available for inspection at the AEC’s national office in Canberra during office hours (9am-5pm Mon-Fri). This office is located at West Block, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, ACT.

The financial disclosure returns section of the AEC’s website will be unavailable until 9am on Wednesday, 1 February 2006.

Media Contact:
Kathy Mitchell
Director Funding and Disclosure
02 6271 4413 or 02 6271 4411