Successful new entrants have typically spent a lot more than the new electorate cap

Electoral expenditure when first elected (in 2025 dollars) for successful new entrants in 2019, 2022, and 2025.

* The chart shows David Pocock’s party expenditure, which covered his campaign as well as that of a second candidate who was unsuccessful. The electorate cap does not apply to Senators (there is a separate Senate cap), but Pocock’s campaign is still indicative of a new independent.
Chart: The ConversationSource: Grattan analysis of AEC disclosures.Get the data Download image