Media release, 1 April 1999

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters

1998 Federal Election and Matters Related Thereto
Media Releases

Media release, 1 April 1999

AEC, ALP TO APPEAR BEFORE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hear from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and the Australian Labor Party (ALP) on 1 April 1999 as part of its inquiry into the 1998 federal election.

'This hearing with the AEC will probably be the most important of the inquiry, determining what areas of electoral law need to be changed,' Committee Chair Mr Gary Nairn, Member for Eden - Monaro, said.

'Issues of concern to the Committee include assisted voting in remote Aboriginal communities. The Committee has received a lot of submissions from people concerned about whether the assisted voting process is being appropriately managed by the AEC,' Mr Nairn said. 'It is important to make sure that assisted voting procedures are applied fairly and to everyone's satisfaction.'

'Other likely issues for discussion include the use of second preference How To Vote cards, the wide distribution of postal vote application forms by political parties, and the use of offensive names on ballot papers.'

'The Committee is also likely to canvass some of the changes the AEC has implemented since the last election inquiry. I am particularly interested in the AEC's use of information technology. Their upgraded Internet site and Virtual Tally Room was one of the highlights of the 1998 election,' Mr Nairn said.

Also appearing before the Committee will be the ALP. The Committee is expecting to hear the ALPs concerns about the conduct of the election.

Mr Nairn explained, 'The Electoral Matters Committee and its predecessors have inquired into the conduct of federal elections since 1983, ensuring that electoral law remains relevant through regular parliamentary and public scrutiny.'

'The Committee has a long and successful history of recommending improvements to Australia's electoral process, and has played a central role in developing an electoral system that is the envy of the world - we will continue this inquiry in that manner,' Mr Nairn concluded.

Ends
1 April 1999
Further information: Gary Nairn MP (Chair) 02 - 6277 4939 (Parliament House)
Bev Forbes (Secretary) 02 - 6277 2374