Comedian Dave Hughes to stop speaking at Liberal party events over political donation concerns

Dave Hughes says he will no longer be taking the stage at Victorian Liberal events, claiming the party decided having him on the bill could run afoul of the state’s political donation laws.

The comedian, better known as Hughesy, once described himself as a lifelong Labor voter, but has become a vocal critic of the party following May’s federal budget, which included sweeping reforms to negative gearing and capital gain tax concessions.

He has since been campaigning for the Liberals ahead of the November Victorian election.

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This includes headlining the party’s western Victoria region campaign launch in Geelong – a free event held on 16 August – and two fundraisers: a $2,500-per-head dinner on 10 September for its Bentleigh candidate, Tynan Putt; and a $30 “Pub Talk” alongside the Williamstown candidate, Paul Lindemann, on 16 September.

In a video posted to his social media accounts on Tuesday, Hughes said was no longer able to speak at such events after a report to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).

“Apparently because of what I would normally charge, that’s above the donation limit,” he said.

“I’ve said I’m not taking any money for political speaking, so I can’t do any more talks at Liberal events.”

On X, Hughes alleged that Victorian Labor had made the VEC complaint. However a senior Labor source said they were not involved. The Age, which first reported the story, reported that the complaint was made by a Labor supporter.

Under Victoria’s donation laws, providing a service for free or below market value is treated as an in-kind political donation and is subject to the same rules as cash donations, which are capped at $5,190.

The VEC’s donations disclosure register shows in-kind services alongside cash donations. It shows that comedian and Greens member Tom Ballard appeared at a party fundraiser in March, with the value of his service recorded as $1,200.

Hughes claimed while Labor had the “massive union movement behind them”, most Liberal candidates “don’t have money behind them” and were “struggling like every other Victorian”.

“So that’s why I want to help them out,” he said.

The VEC donations register shows the Liberals have received $173,222 in donations this financial year, compared to Labor’s $775,264.

The Victorian Liberal party has been approached for comment.