December 2003 - Review of Electoral Acts

Definition of political purposes

In the context of what is stated above, it would be useful to examine the definition of political purposes to determine the extent of its application beyond elections and referenda.

It is recognised by the Standards Commission that, apart from bodies such as those mentioned above which, perhaps, should not be covered in conducting their normal activities although, strictly speaking, those activities fall within the current definition of political purposes, there are other groups which, from time to time, may include some of those mentioned above, who are involved in campaigns of a highly political nature where the legislation should apply. In that regard, the Standards Commission is mindful of the difficulty in attempting to legislate for inclusion of certain groups to the exclusion of others and in attempting to include certain groups at particular times depending on the nature of the activity being undertaken by them at the time.

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