Donations of $1000 or more have to go through a specially-trained agent, and candidates who manage their own campaigns risk a $22,000 fine or a year in prison.

“[Candidates] must appoint an official agent before they can accept $1000 or more in political donations or spend that much on their campaign,” the Election Funding Authority’s (EFA) Colin Barry said.

“That agent must complete an online training course before they are registered as the candidate’s official agent.”

Candidates who took donations before July 1 have to disclose them before August 25, and contributions taken after that must be declared before February next year. Previously, campaign donations only had to be declared every four years.

Former Great Lakes councillor Lynette Lawry was hit with a 12-month ban from public office last December when she failed to declare property near Bulahdelah. The land was being rezoned, and Local Government Pecuniary Tribunal found a conflict of interest. The new laws are another potential trap for councillors.

Mr Barry hinted that some candidates are in danger of breaching the new rules, if the number of registered agents is any guide.

“We are averaging an 80 per cent pass rate with the assessment which is encouraging, but the number of people completing the online course is still quite low with only 153 certified agents [as of last week].”

For more information, visit www.efa.nsw.gov.au

Candidate profiles: page 6,7, 9 of today's Advocate.

Election at a glance

o Thirty-five candidates are expected to run for Great Lakes Council.

o Election day is Saturday September 13

o It is compulsory for Australian citizens, aged 18 and over to enrol and vote at federal, state and local government elections and referendums. If you are on the electoral roll and do not vote you may be fined.

o You can check if you are enrolled and your details are correct through the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) enrolment verification facility, by phoning 1300 135 736 or by visiting to view the roll at your closest divisional AEC office.

The clock is ticking

CANDIDATES for Great Lakes Council have until noon today to register for next month’s local government elections. The ballot draw for Great Lakes candidates is 2.30pm today at the former Country Energy store, Taree.