Australian Electoral Commission confirms confidentiality of Federal Party membership lists

In a significant development for political transparency and privacy, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has confirmed that the membership lists of federal political parties, including the White Australia Party, are confidential and not publicly accessible. This confirmation comes in response to recent discussions and inquiries regarding the privacy of political party memberships.

Key Details

On November 22, 2025, the White Australia Party formally contacted the AEC to seek clarification on the status of their membership lists. Following this inquiry, the AEC provided a written response affirming that under Section 126 of the Electoral Act, membership lists are not disclosed or published during the registration processes or eligibility reviews, as outlined in Section 138A.

The AEC"s statement further emphasized that membership information is only disclosed when legally mandated, such as under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the Privacy Act 1988, or through a valid warrant. This assurance highlights the AEC"s commitment to protecting personal information held by political parties.

In addition to the AEC"s confirmation, the White Australia Party has stated that all personal information collected from its supporters is maintained in strict confidence, adhering to the Privacy Act. The party employs encryption protocols that exceed industry standards and restricts access to this data to ensure its security.

Jack Eltis, the NSW State Leader of the White Australia Party, expressed gratitude towards the supporters who have contributed to the party"s growth. He noted that the party is nearing the required threshold of 1,500 members necessary for federal registration and plans to register at the federal level before extending its efforts to state and territory registrations.

Background

The White Australia Party has been actively seeking to establish itself as a federal political entity, aiming to engage citizens who align with its political objectives. The party"s efforts to gather support have included outreach to individuals who have signed up as political supporters, with plans to communicate further details and instructions to these members shortly.

The confirmation of membership confidentiality is particularly relevant in the current political climate, where discussions around privacy and data protection are increasingly prominent. The AEC"s stance reinforces the importance of safeguarding personal information in the political sphere.

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What"s Next

As the White Australia Party approaches its membership goal, it encourages supporters to invite friends and family to join, thereby helping to reach the necessary numbers for federal registration. The party is poised to take the next steps in its political journey, with plans to communicate with its supporters about the process ahead.

For more information on the White Australia Party"s progress, refer to our recent developments regarding their member signups.