Financial gerrymandering

September 28, 2026

Spending caps are only one component of election spending. Another is funding. I venture to say that few voters know just how much their taxes contribute. Who knows that candidates are paid for first preference votes, which can amount to a tidy sum to part-fund their next campaign? New entrants at the next election get zero taxpayer dollars.

Simon Homes à Court has written two eye-opening articles on election funding, one with particular reference to the forthcoming Victorian state election. Search online for “wall of advantage”.

Then there is a third element, third party entities. They seem to be able to spend their socks off, unimpeded. Some are brazen enough to deny political affiliation but it’s usually obvious to Blind Freddy who they’re supporting. It’s not small parties or independents!

Australia’s elections are rigged by Labor and Liberals colluding to pass funding legislation with the double whammy of benefitting themselves and disadvantaging the rest. That’s no better than US incumbents moving electorate boundaries about to the detriment of challengers.

Financial gerrymandering should be stopped, starting with no more cash being paid from our taxes for first preference votes. Examining third party entity funding should be close behind.