The Australian Electoral Commission has dropped action seeking a $26,640 penalty against Fraser Anning for his alleged failure to lodge an annual financial return for 2018-19. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
The Australian Electoral Commission has dropped a case against former far-right senator, Fraser Anning, because it has been unable to locate him.
In November the AEC brought an action seeking a penalty of up to $26,640 against Anning in the federal court for his alleged failure to lodge an annual financial return for the 2018-19 financial year, as required under electoral law.
On 16 February, the federal court granted leave to discontinue the case against Anning. An AEC spokesperson told Guardian Australia “there was a comprehensive search undertaken to locate Mr Anning in Australia but when this failed the AEC asked the court to discontinue the proceedings”.
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