Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Media release, 24 August 1999
AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS TO APPEAR BEFORE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hear from Senator
Andrew Bartlett of the Australian Democrats on 24 August 1999 as part
of its inquiry into the 1998 federal election.
Committee Chair, Mr Gary Nairn MP, Member for Eden-Monaro, said, 'In
their submission the Australian Democrats have made 16 recommendations
concerning five major themes. These relate to:
amending section 44 of the Constitution;
regulation of political parties;
disclosure of party donations and expenditure;
the voting rights of prisoners; and
truth in political advertising.'
'I expect a number of productive suggestions will come from the hearing,'
said Mr Nairn. 'Party submissions to election inquiries are generally
about how they can more effectively perform that task and the Australian
Democrats is no exception to that rule.'
Mr Nairn reported that the Committee's inquiry is progressing well with
recent hearings in Alice Springs and Brisbane and a couple of further
hearings expected in Canberra. The Committee expects to deliver its report
before the end of the year.
Ends
23 August 1999
Further information: Gary Nairn MP (Chair) 02 6277 4939 (Parliament House)
Bev Forbes (Secretary) 02 6277 2374
Details of Hearing and Committee membership attached
PROGRAM : PUBLIC HEARING
TUESDAY 24 AUGUST
House of Representatives Committee Room 2R2
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT
12.30 - 2.00 pm Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett
Membership of the Committee
Mr Gary Nairn MP (Chair)
Mr Laurie Ferguson MP (Deputy Chair)
Senator Andrew Bartlett
Senator the Hon. John Faulkner
Senator Brett Mason
Senator Andrew Murray
Senator the Hon. Ron Boswell
Mr Michael Danby MP
Mr John Forrest MP
Hon. Alex Somlyay MP
Inquiry into the Conduct of the 1998 Federal Election and matters related
thereto : Terms of Reference
On 10 December 1998 the Special Minister of State, Senator the Hon.
Chris Ellison, referred the following to the Joint Standing Committee
on Electoral Matters:
"That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquire into
and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 1998 federal election
and matters related thereto."
The terms of reference for an election inquiry are generally very broad,
allowing the Committee to focus on those issues which are considered most
pressing by the Committee and the respondents to the inquiry.