2026 Victorian State Election Donations Policy

Elections are a significant opportunity to further Environment Victoria’s charitable purpose: “Environment Victoria works with people from all walks of life to bring about a society living in harmony with a healthy environment”.

We want the next Government to have an ambitious plan to deliver Victoria’s energy transition, we will send a clear message to candidates that action on clean energy is necessary to win this election, and we will inform voters about candidates’ environmental policies so that they make an informed decision at the ballot box. Therefore, we intend to spend some funds in the 2026 Victorian State Election for the purposes of influencing how people vote.

Under Victorian Electoral Law, there are obligations on both Environment Victoria and also on you as a donor to Environment Victoria, if we or you intend to use all or part of your donation to influence how people vote in the upcoming State Election. This policy outlines what our and your obligations are.

1) By making a donation to us in response to our request for donations to be spent on what is legally termed ‘political expenditure’ (materials where the dominant purpose is to influence how people vote in an election) you confirm that you:

  • Are an Australian Resident or Australian Citizen, and therefore eligible to make a political donation in a State Election.
  • Are aware that you may not make political donations to more than six third-party campaigners (those organisations, like Environment Victoria, who are not political parties but are still trying to influence voters in elections, and who will incur more than $5,190 of political expenditure).
  • Have not already made multiple political donations to Environment Victoria between 15/04/2026 and 28/11/2026 that, when combined with this donation, would amount to over $5,190 (this doesn’t include non-political donations). If we found that you have accidently exceeded your political donation cap, we will refund you any donations that means you exceed your political donation cap.

2) All political donations will still be tax-deductible, as these activities are in keeping with our Charitable Purpose.

3) Should your total political donations to Environment Victoria remain below the ‘disclosure threshold’ of $1,290, you are not obliged to make a public disclosure of your donations.

4) Should you exceed the ‘disclosure threshold’ by making one or multiple political donations to us that cumulatively exceed $1,290, both Environment Victoria and you will need to disclose your donation to the VEC within 21 days of having made the donation, and your name, suburb and donation amount will be published on the VEC website. Published details are visible here: Disclosed Donations · Custom Portal. We will contact you within a week of you having exceeded the disclosure threshold to remind you of your obligations.

Complying with this law can be challenging. If you have any questions about any of your obligations, please find more information here, or give us a call on (03) 9341 8100 or email us at: give@environmentvictoria.org.au