Advisory Report on the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Administration) Bill 2012

27 February 2013

© Commonwealth of Australia 2013

ISBN 978-0-642-79851-0 (Printed version)
ISBN 978-0-642-79852-7 (HTML version)

Referral of the Bill
Overview and purpose of the Bill
Premature opening of a ballot box
Pre-poll voting arrangements
Postal voting deadline
Electoral boundary redistributions
Use of taxpayer information
Other amendments
Date of effect
Objective and conduct of the inquiry

Overview
Premature opening of a ballot box
Analysis
Conclusion
Pre-poll voting arrangements
Analysis
Conclusion
Use of taxpayer information
Analysis
Conclusion

Introduction
Schedule 1, Part 1, Taxation Administration Act 1953
 Schedule 1, Part 1, Amendments – Negate requirement to have a signed certificate for a pre-poll ordinary vote
Schedule 1, Part 1, Amendments – Opening of pre-polling before election day
Schedule 1, Part 1, Amendments - excluding of votes contained within a prematurely opened ballot box.

Background
Methodology
Legislative Changes
Ballot Boxes containing Ordinary votes
Oaklands Park PPVO
Contributing factors
Conclusion
Blackwater PPVO
Contributing factors
Conclusion
Emerald PPVO
Contributing factors
Conclusion
Recommended changes to minimise future mistakes at a PPVO
Conclusion

Issues with Ballot-Boxes Containing Pre-Poll Ordinary Ballot Papers
Summary of Advice
Background
Advice