Judges in the Netherlands may have ruled that the Brotherly Love, Freedom and Diversity Party has the same right to exist as any other political party, but don’t expect a local equivalent to be contesting the NSW state poll.

In their keenness to regulate everything, there are new rules for candidates in the Premier State. The new Candidates Handbook tells how under the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Child S-xual Offences Disclosures) Act 2006 requires all candidates have to make some minor declarations – whether they have been convicted of the murder of a child or a child s-xual offence; the subject of proceedings for such an offence; or the subject of an apprehended violence order for the purposes of protecting a child from s-xual assault.

The declaration is to be lodged with the nomination and if a person fails to complete this declaration the nomination will be invalid. “It will also be a criminal offence to make a false declaration deliberately (maximum penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment), and if a member of Parliament is convicted of making a false declaration, he or she will be disqualified from sitting in Parliament pursuant to section 13A of the Constitution Act 1902.”

The declarations of all candidates must be made public by the NSWEC, and will be posted on the NSWEC’s website. And still there’s more. “After the election, the declarations of elected candidates will be reviewed by the Commissioner of Children and Young People and a report on the findings tabled in both Houses of Parliament. Any apparent unlawful conduct by members of Parliament relating to their declaration will then be referred to police for investigation and prosecution.”

You’ve guessed it. The legislation was rushed through after the Orkopoulos news broke. So… There’s no kissing babies on the hustings. Or not before they’ve filled out a consent form.