Additional comments by Kate Chaney MP

1.1I support the 21 recommendations in the Final Report, subject to my additional comment below on recommendation 15 (that the media blackout be removed contingent on the introduction of truth in political advertising laws).

1.2My support on recommendation 15 is conditional on ensuring that laws are not only in place to prevent lies and misleading or deceptive conduct, but are effective to counter such conduct in the days before, or the day of, the election. Any powers will need to go beyond removal of/ceasing a publication, a retraction or a fine. The Court of Disputed Returns needs to clearly have the power to void an election, or an outcome in an affected electoral division, where such unlawful conduct that is shown to affect the result.

1.3I strongly support recommendations 20 and 21 (postal vote reform to prevent misleading voters and data harvesting) and welcome that the Committee acknowledges that the postal vote process no longer meets community expectations. Listening to community concerns is the correct basis for reform. Concerns in my Curtin electorate led to postal vote reform being part of my Electoral Legislation Amendment (Restoring Trust) Bill 2023 (‘Restoring Trust Bill’) presented as a Private Member’s Bill on 7 August 2023. The Committee’s postal vote reform is consistent with my proposal.

1.4The Restoring Trust Bill followed my Additional Comments to the Interim Report of June 2023 and built on previous work done by the parliamentary crossbench to improve electoral laws. It has the support of the crossbench, civil society and leading academics.

1.5There are 13 changes to electoral and political donation laws in the Restoring Trust Bill based upon improving transparency, reducing financial influence and levelling the playing field. The proposals include real-time disclosure of donations less than $1,000, broadening the definition of gift to capture fundraising dinners and business forums, greater transparency of receipts on the AEC Transparency Register, banning lies and misleading or deceptive conduct in political advertising and banning donations from substantial government contractors.

1.6Electoral law reform needs to strengthen democracy by reflecting community concerns and promoting political choice rather than enshrining vested interests.

Ms Kate Chaney MP

Independent Member for Curtin