THE Canberra Liberals have been hit with $16,500 in fines for breaching new electoral rules that require political parties to disclose any gifts worth $1000 or more within 30 days of receiving them.

ACT Electoral Commissioner, Phillip Green, says the Canberra Liberals were late in submitting 15 electoral finance disclosures since the start of this financial year, each carrying a fine of $1100.

The new rules the Liberals have breached came into effect on 1 July 2012, following changes to the Electoral Act.

“This is the first time we have issued an infringement notice for late returns,” Mr Green said. “During the first year of operation of the new laws, Elections ACT worked with all the ACT’s political parties to equip them with the ability to meet the strict disclosure deadlines set by the Legislative Assembly.

“From 1 July 2013, parties have been on notice that failure to meet the disclosure deadlines without reasonable excuse would lead to enforcement action. This current case is the first instance where I have considered it appropriate to issue an infringement notice.”

The party’s reporting agent now has 28 days in which to pay the monetary penalties set out in the notice, to appeal the notice or to apply for an extension of time to finalise payment.

The documents in question, called financial disclosure returns, can be viewed by the public on the ACT Electoral Commission’s website or in person at the office of the Electoral Commissioner in the ground floor of the North Building in Civic Square.