Annual returns (FY2023-24) due

Annual returns (gifts) must be submitted by the following participants:

• Registered political parties – reporting details of gifts received by or with the authority of the registered party and each candidate (*) endorsed by the party
• Registered associated entities
• Candidates not endorsed by a registered political party

*gifts received by endorsed candidates are reported on the return of the registered political party (combined)

Annual returns must be submitted by the following participants:

• Registered Political Parties
• Registered associated entities
• Donors* to registered political parties
• Donors*  to candidates

*Donors – any person or organisation other than a registered party, candidate, or associated entity who donates $1,500 or more in a financial year to a registered party or a candidate in the Northern Territory.

Registered political parties must notify individuals who give them gifts totalling $1,500 or more in a financial year, or receive gifts of $1,500 or more from the same person, by providing a written notice. This notification must be made before 1 August 2023 following the end of the financial year. The purpose of the notice is to inform the donors about the requirement of submitting donor returns to the NTEC.

Candidates who receive gifts amounting to $1,500 or more from a single person during a financial year must also notify the donor through a written notice. This notification serves to inform the donor about the obligation to submit a donor return to the NTEC.

As per Part 10 of the Electoral Act (NT), if no details are required to be included in a return a return must be given to the NTEC including a statement that no gifts required to be disclosed were received.

1. Download the relevant annual return forms (titled) below:

Annual returns (gifts)

• Associated entities – annual return (gifts)
• Combined-party candidates – annual return (gifts)
• Non-party candidates – annual return (gifts)

Annual returns

• Associated entities – annual return
• Donors – annual return
• Political parties – annual return

2. Complete the sections in the form

3. Email the completed form to disclosure.NTEC@nt.gov.au

Making an incomplete disclosure or failure to disclose may be unlawful and can attract penalties including a fine or prosecution.

Breaching the legal requirements for disclosures may constitute a criminal offence. The NT Electoral Commission may issue warnings, penalties or prosecute offences for:

• failure to lodge a disclosure form by the due date
• making incomplete disclosures
• making a false statement in a declaration on a disclosure form
• withholding information relevant to a disclosure form.

If you need to amend your disclosure form after you have lodged it, you must do by contacting the NT Electoral Commission.

The information provided in the annual return form will be reviewed by the NT Electoral Commission for completeness and compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act (NT) (Part 10)

Information on returns submitted and date of receipt will be published on the NT Electoral Commission website as prescribed.

Published annual returns can be viewed on the NT Electoral Commission published annual returns webpage.

More information on financial disclosure requirements can be found in the Financial Disclosure Handbook (PDF 703KB) and the Electoral Act 2004.