31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?

Section 74(1), Broadcasting Act 1989, (amended 2022)
"Direct public funds are provided for funding election programmes and election advertising in relation to the general election. In relation to each general election, the Minister of Justice must give notice to the Electoral Commission of the amount of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of enabling parties to fund—
(a) all of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of party election programmes; and
(b) all or part of the broadcasting costs incurred in relation to the broadcast of candidate election programmes; and
(c) all or part of the production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to—
(i) party election programmes; and
(ii) candidate election programmes; and
(d) all or part of the publishing costs incurred in relation to the publication of election advertisements on the Internet during the election period; and
(e) all or part of production costs, whenever incurred, in relation to election advertisements published on the Internet—
(i) during the election period; or
(ii) before and during the election period.