Electoral Gifts

If you are a candidate in the local government elections, you must declare all gifts received for your electoral campaign that have a total value of $300 or more. Find out more below.

Definition of ‘gift’

The definition of gift is broad and includes the transfer/giving of any property or financial benefit from one person to another.A ‘gift’ includes:

• money
• non-monetary item of value
• in kind or where there is inadequate financial consideration, such as the receipt of a discount (where the difference or the discount is worth more than $300)
• a financial or other contribution to travel
• the provision of a service for no consideration or for inadequate consideration
• a firm promise or agreement to give a gift at some future time.

 
A ‘gift’ does not include a gift by will, a relative, or item that does not relate to the candidate’s candidature, or the provision of volunteer labour.
 
Where you only receive one gift from the same person, that gift only needs to be declared if its value is $300 or more. Where you receive multiple gifts from the same person, those gifts must be declared if their total value is $300 or more.
 

Timeframe for declaration

You, must declare all gifts and donations given or promised from Friday, 26 September 2025.
 
The timeframe for declaring gifts depends on whether you received the gift prior to nominating as a candidate or after:
 

• For gifts received prior – it must be declared within 3 days of nominating as a candidate.
• For gifts received after – it must be declared within 3 days of receipt

 
When the disclosure period ends depends on whether or not you are elected onto Council:
 

• If you are not elected, the disclosure period ends on the Thursday, 26 March 2026 (inclusive)
• If you are elected, the disclosure period ends on the day on which you made your declaration of office (inclusive)

 

Gifts you must not accept

You cannot accept gifts from a person unless you know the name and address of the donor.
 
If you receive such a gift, you must disclose it and deliver it to us for disposal.

 

How to declare a gift

To declare a gift, complete our Gift Disclosure Form (Candidates) and email it to CEO-Office@melville.wa.gov.au.
 
You must provide all the information required by the form for it to be a valid disclosure.