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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Tory Shepherd

SA banned donations to political parties. Now experts fear powerful lobby groups could pick up the tab and dominate the discourse

Election campaign signs for various parties and candidates including Peter Malinauskas in Adelaide
Corflutes in Adelaide ahead of the last state election in 2022. Last year South Australia passed laws prohibiting political donations and gifts to registered parties, MPs and candidates. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Saturday’s South Australian election is the first since laws banning donations to political parties were introduced, a move which some warned would lead to funds being diverted to external groups.

A number of organisations have registered as third parties in time for the ballot, meaning they can raise and spend funds, but disclosure deadlines mean the full amounts will not be known until after polling day.

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