The Victorian Electoral Commission's efforts to probe a Liberal Party fundraising campaign have been slowed by a legal challenge, delaying it until after the election.
The VEC has been investigating the Liberal Party's "Ditch Dan" fundraising campaign held in August, which raised more than half a million dollars.
The campaign promised to match donations from supporters with money already collected, but it triggered several complaints to the VEC.
In a rare statement, the commission said it had sought and received assurances from party officials at the time that the campaign met donations obligations.
Under donation laws, donations cannot come from overseas donors, cannot be anonymous above $1,080 and must be disclosed within 21 days.
There is also a $4,320 cap to political parties for donors.
The VEC said it monitored activity on the Liberal Party's donation website and compared it to disclosures.
"As a result of this work, the VEC commenced an investigation into the fundraising campaign. This investigation has been underway for some time now,'' the VEC said.
But it said its written efforts to use its powers to compel information were stalled.
"These written notices ordinarily require responses within 14 days. However, individuals and entities exercised their lawful right to request reviews of the written notices, which means — even if the notice is affirmed — it may be up to 8 weeks before any information is received from the written notice,'' the commission said.
The Liberal Party has been contacted for comment.
The VEC said it made no allegation of an offence at this stage.
