The Party Financing Bill seesno cap on the amount that parties can spend on electoral campaigns, it was revealed during the debate during held withing the Consideration of Bills Committee.

The debate originally surrounded caps for candidate expenditure per district. The Bill would allow a candidate who contests one district to spend a maximum of €20,000, and those who contest 2 districts, €40,000 spent as they wish within either district.

PN MP Chris Said said that this would create a loophole allowing a candidate to spend €40,000 on a single district.

The Minister said that it is hard to estimate exactly where it will be spent. "If a candidate buys an advert on a paper, how do you know which district that is being spent on? - As soon as you exceed by 1 cent and falsely declare - you're out".

He was referring to another clause, where if a candidate is found to have lied when presenting his expenditure information, or spend more than is allowed, the candidate would lose his seat.

The Attorney General suggested a proviso, where if a candidate chooses to contest in 2 districts, the candidate would be given an additional €5,000 instead of €20,000.

The Minister argued that this goes against those who genuinely go out on two districts. He argued that they should not limit those who genuinely work in 2 districts to make up for those who might try and abuse it.

AD Deputy Chairman Carmel Cacopardo believes the amount should reduce to €4,000 - as with €20,000 "you are accepting overspending".

Dr Bonnici said that consequences are serious and "we believe that €20,000 on each district will create a realistic level playing-field. We have to air on the side of realism".

Dr Said said that this will create problems for a number of candidates and will put them at a disadvantage. He said that €40,000 is a 3-year wage for the average person.

PL Whip Godfrey Farrugia said he didn't go out for politics for the pay. The €1,400 spending cap has been around since 1976.

The clause passed 4 votes in favour against 2, thus meaning that it would be limited to €20,000 per district per candidate.

PN MP Claudio Grech also highlighted that the Bill nowhere limits the amount party's can spend. "We believe that since we are placing a cap on candidate spending, we should cap the amount parties can spend during General Elections"

"We believe the cap should be set at €2 million, over and above the candidate spending. Last general election, Labour said they spent €1.5 million and PN said it spent €2.2 million". He argued that this would create a level playing-field for parties.

Dr Said reminded everyone that this law deals with Party Financing, but does not mention, at all, how a party can spend money. He added that for other elections, it should also reduce.

The Minister does not agree with stopping parties from accepting as many donations as possible as long as high-end donations are capped and the amount of donations are declared. He argued that if a party declares their finances, caps the amount a donate can give, works hard and creates good policies etc - that party should not be restricted for being successful.