Preliminary Pages

Foreword

On 29 November 2012 the Committee resolved to inquire into electronic voting in the House of Representatives. Although the Committee has conducted two previous inquiries into the conduct of divisions generally, it has never examined electronic voting in detail.

Technological advances and generational change, together with the close numbers in the 43^rd Parliament, provide compelling reasons to examine the issue more thoroughly. Unfortunately the inquiry has been truncated by the press of other Committee business.

Nevertheless, my Committee colleagues and I decided to prepare this short report to review existing evidence. We hope the paper will provide a basis for an in-depth inquiry if a future Procedure Committee wishes to examine the matter.

Electronic voting could make a significant difference to the efficiency of the House. It may be that many of the previous concerns regarding electronic voting systems have been addressed. However, important procedural and contextual issues remain. These, along with questions concerning available technology, cost and the impact of the implementation of electronic voting in the House, deserve further consideration. It is my hope that the Procedure Committee of the 44^th Parliament will be able to collect the necessary technical evidence and consult with Members and others with a stake in the operations of the House to bring a considered view to this important topic.

Geoff Lyons MP
Chair

Membership of the Committee

Committee Secretariat

Terms of reference

To inquire into and report on the conduct of divisions, including but not limited to:

(a)   the procedures for counting and reporting the vote using an electronic voting system;

(b)   the possible use of electronic voting in the Chamber of the House of Representatives; and

(c)    the cost of establishing and providing such a service.

List of abbreviations