Victorians Party announce abrupt exit from state election race, citing finance difficulties

A political party that was hoping to seize the balance of power has abruptly withdrawn from the state election, blaming one key reason.

A new political party hoping to seize the balance of power in the state parliament has abruptly withdrawn from the state election, citing finance difficulties.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, a spokesman for the Victorians Party said they were exiting the race for the November poll.

“The Victorians Party has made the decision to not contest the upcoming Victorian State Election on Saturday, 26th November,” he said.

“This decision has been made due to the limitations on new political parties raising campaign funding under Victoria’s electoral laws introduced after the last State election.

The Victorians Party made the announcement in a statement on Friday afternoon. Picture: David Crosling

“This has meant that the Party could not adequately fund its campaign to achieve its objectives in the limited time available to November.”

Under donation laws, donations are capped at $4200 per person.

The party had initially intended to run for every seat in the state and had announced about a dozen candidates.

This included a candidate for Point Cook, where it is speculated an independent politician could perform strongly against Labor.

It’s understood the party was challenged by the cap restricting the movement of money towards their campaign, with funding available but unable to be transferred to the party under current caps.

Money raised so far is expected to be provided back to donors.

Insiders said it was believed the party had raised about $14,000 for the election effort so far.

Oscar Yildiz, a co-founder of the Victorians Party, said it was difficult to run a decent campaign without significant funds.

“The current Victorian Electoral Commission laws basically restrict us from the opportunity,” he said.

“We had candidates lined up but we wanted to challenge at the same level as the major parties and it’s a big struggle.”

David Davis, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council said:

“The most important focus is getting rid of Daniel Andrews and the worst government in Victoria’s history, that's what every Victorian should be focussed on.”

‘Donation laws incredibly transparent’

The Andrews government has dismissed claims its donation laws are to blame for the demise of a political party that was hoping to seek the balance of power at the next state election.

On Friday, the Victorians Party abruptly withdrew from the state election citing financial difficulties.

The party, which initially intended to run for every seat in the state, said limitations on new political parties raising funds were behind its decision.

A spokesman said new political parties were unfairly disadvantaged since the introduction of campaign financing after the last state election, which caps donations at $4200 per person.

But Employment Minister Jaala Pulford rubbished those claims on Saturday, arguing the state’s donation laws do not give the major parties an unfair advantage.

“Any candidate in any political party operates on the same level playing field,” Ms Pulford said.

“I suspect the problem is [Victorians Party co-founder] Mr [Oscar] Yildiz just doesn’t have enough supporters.

“The donation laws that we have in Victoria are incredibly transparent, they enable every single member of the Victorian community who wants to support a candidate to do so.”