Senator CHISHOLM (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Assistant Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Deputy Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (11:16): I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings. I also table a statement of reasons justifying the need for the bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The statement read as follows— STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTROD U CTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2024 SPRING SITTINGS ELECTORAL LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ELECTORAL REFORM) BILL Purpose of the Bill The objective of the proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 is to support the integrity and transparency of Australia's electoral processes by: lowering the disclosure threshold for political donations to $1,000; requiring timely disclosure of political donations and electoral expenditure; introduction of a new concept of nominated entity; introducing 'caps' on political donations and electoral expenditure; administering frameworks on a calendar year cycle; enhancing public funding to registered political parties and candidates; expanding federal account requirements; modernising and streamlining electoral operations; removing Senate group disclosure obligations, requiring Senate groups to disclose gifts as 'candidates'; and savings provisions and streamlining of declaration votes. Reasons for Urgency The Bill is urgent as passage will be needed during the 2024 Spring sitting period in order to retain the option for relevant legislative changes to take effect and be implemented by the Australian Electoral Commission before the next election which must be held no later than 17 May 2025.