Donations to candidates for local government in Victoria will be capped at $1000 and foreign money banned under proposed laws the Andrews government says will clean up council politics.

Councillors and candidates would also have to declare all gifts and donations worth more than $250 to the Chief Municipal Inspector within 21 days, and publish disclosures within two working days on the Local Government Inspectorate website.

Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek says he will bring in the strictest council election donation laws in the country. Credit:Eddie Jim

An exception to those caps would be given to the City of Melbourne, whose candidates would be permitted to take donations of up to $4000 and maintain their disclosure threshold at its current limit of $500.

The caps would apply over each four-year term, significantly curbing the influence of corporate and individual cash donations in local politics.