It’s certainly an interesting time in politics.

December 1, 2016

And the recent round of funding from the electoral commission is no exception. Almost $63 million was distributed to the candidates of the 2016 federal election, a complete list of allocations is below.

There are certainly a few surprises. The Greens must be the richest hippies the world has ever known. Pauline and One Nation have completed one of the most extraordinary ‘back from the dead’ stunts we’ve ever seen. It pays to build a personal brand, as Nick Xenophon, Derryn Hinch, Bob Katter and Jacqui Lambie have proven. And single issue nonsense can actually earn you a little paycheck.

Surprising? It’s actually bloody infuriating. Funding is calculated at a rate of $2.62 per first preference vote, but here’s the rub – only if 4% of the first preference vote is achieved.

So, when all the accountants had finished doing their sums, we ended up with $49k. This is despite earning the 6^th most votes of any party in the Australian Senate and after securing nearly $1m after the 2013 election.

But if we’ve learnt anything from what’s happened over in the U.S, it’s that the power of grassroots political forces are stronger than ever. We may not have the support of the lumbering Australian Electoral Commission, but we won’t go down without a fight – because what we’re fighting for is too important.

We need your support to help us rebuild after this funding mess, click here to donate.

Together we can show the major parties that we’re not going to go away quietly and we will continue to fight for common sense, lower taxes and more freedom.

Only the Liberal Democrats have consistently highlighted the absurdity of the hurt feelings law otherwise known as 18C and challenged government overreach into our personal lives and choices.

Without free speech we are not free, and without the Liberal Democrats, who will stand up and be counted? Will you?

Thank you for your support.

Senator David Leyonhjelm