38. Is there a ban on vote buying?
Australia
Legislation provides that a person cannot ask for, receive or obtain, or give or confer, any property or benefit with the intention of influencing the vote or candidature of a person at a federal election. The electoral bribery offence does not apply to declarations of public policy or promises of public action.
If a person is found guilty of this offence, a court may impose a penalty of imprisonment of up to 2 years or 50 penalty units, or both.
Source: Section 326 (1) (2) Commonwealth Electoral Act 2018 (Compilation 68)