Changes to electoral donation rules in Victoria were introduced into state parliament on Tuesday. They cap a political party’s financial withdrawal during the four years between elections to a maximum of $500,000 from their nominated entity. Independents will have a $50,000 cap.

The path to these changes has been akin to driving on a corrugated road.

The High Court in CanberraCredit: Alex Ellinghausen

In 2018, then-premier Daniel Andrews introduced donation caps that, on the face of it, seemed like progress, in limiting donations from either an individual or organisation to $4850 over a four-year period.

However, a large loophole was created for the major parties through their nominated entities – the Cormack Foundation (Liberal Party), Labor Services & Holdings (Labor Party) and Pilliwinks (the Nationals).

These three, which have considerable cash and investment income, were not included in the caps. Indeed, a 2020 cut-off has blocked new parties from joining the party enjoyed by those........

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