The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has concluded its inquiry into the 2022 election, making recommendations for reforms to improve donation transparency, reduce the influence of big money, and strengthen trust and participation in our elections.

Media release issue date: Monday, 27 November 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has concluded its inquiry into the 2022 election, making recommendations for reforms to improve donation transparency, reduce the influence of big money, and strengthen trust and participation in our elections. The Committee’s final report, tabled today in Parliament, makes 21 recommendations on top of the 15 made in its interim report released in June. Committee Chair Ms Kate Thwaites MP said, ‘Our electoral system is strong, but our democracy is too important to be complacent. The Committee heard clear evidence of the need for reform. ‘Based on the evidence we have received, the Committee has recommended reforms to improve donation transparency, address the electoral ‘arms race’ of increased spending on elections, limit the potentially corrupting influence of big money, and build public trust.’ These include reaffirming recommendations made in the interim report, including: Lowering the donation disclosure threshold to $1,000 and introducing ‘real time’ disclosure; Introducing donation and electoral spending caps; and Introducing truth in political advertising laws. In addition, the Committee’s final report makes further recommendations around representation, participation and other issues, including: Improving representation – increasing Senate representation for the two territories from two to four Senators, and requesting a specific inquiry into increasing the size of the House of Representatives; Encouraging participation and enfranchisement – making voting more accessible, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, older Australians and Australians overseas; and Modernising election campaign legislation, including amending the process for the distribution of postal vote applications. Through the course of the inquiry the Committee received more than 1,500 submissions and held eleven public hearings. Further information about the inquiry, including submissions and hearing transcripts, is available on the inquiry webpage. Media inquiries Mr Alex Collum (03) 9459 1411 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, read submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding a public hearing on Friday 23 June as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 22 June 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding a public hearing on Friday 23 June as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election. The Committee will hear from representatives of the Australian Democracy Network, Australian Conservation Foundation, the Human Rights Law Centre; and electoral analysts Dr Brendan Long, Dr Kevin Bonham, Mr Ben Raue and Mr Malcolm Mackerras AO. Committee Chair Ms Kate Thwaites MP said, ‘The Committee will hear from electoral analysts about the principle of ‘one vote, one value’ and examine proposals about representation in Parliament, the size of Parliament and opportunities for reform. The Committee will also hear from third parties about how they engage in political advocacy and their position on proposed electoral reforms.’ The inquiry’s interim report was tabled in Parliament this week. The final report is due to be tabled before the end of this year. Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, is available on the inquiry webpage. Public hearing details in Canberra Time: 9.45 am–1.30 pm AEST Date: Friday, 23 June 2023 Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media enquiries Mr Alex Collum (02) 6277 4305 (sitting weeks) or (03) 9459 1411 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, read submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has released its interim report into the 2022 federal election, and has recommended significant reforms to Australia’s electoral system.

Media release issue date: Monday, 19 June 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has released its interim report into the 2022 federal election, and has recommended significant reforms to Australia’s electoral system. Committee Chair Ms Kate Thwaites MP said, ‘Australians are rightly proud of our electoral system, but it is important that we continue make sure that it is trusted, relevant and fit for purpose. The evidence we have heard has allowed the Committee to develop clear goals for reform: to increase transparency in election donations and curb the influence of big money, to build the public’s trust in electoral and political processes, and to encourage participation in our elections’. The report makes 15 recommendations, focused on three main topics: political donations and electoral expenditure, truth in political advertising and encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in elections. The Committee continues its work on its inquiry into the 2022 election, with further hearings scheduled for Friday 23 June and two days in the Northern Territory next week. The final report is scheduled for release later this year. Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, is available on the inquiry webpage. Media inquiries Mr Alex Collum (03) 9459 1411 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, read submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding a public hearing on Wednesday 23 November as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election.

Media release issue date: Monday, 21 November 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding a public hearing on Wednesday 23 November as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election. The Committee will hear from representatives of the Northern Land Council, Central Desert Regional Council, Central Land Council, Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the Northern Territory, the Maningrida Aboriginal Community, the Northern Territory Electoral Commission, and the Northern Territory Government. Committee Chair Ms Kate Thwaites MP said, ‘This public hearing is an opportunity to speak directly to representatives of First Nations communities about issues like voting accessibility in remote and very remote communities, voter turnout, and rates of informal voting, as the Committee continues to consider recommendations to improve electoral enrolment and participation.’ Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, will be available on the inquiry webpage. Public hearing details in Canberra Time: 9.30 am – 11.00 am AEDT (8.00 am – 9.30 am ACST) Date: Wednesday, 23 November 2022 Location: Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House The hearing will be broadcast live at: aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Mr Alex Collum (03) 9459 1411 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding two days of public hearings on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election.

Media release issue date: Friday, 14 October 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding two days of public hearings on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election. On Monday, the Chair of the Committee, Ms Kate Thwaites MP, expects to hear a range of views on topics including political donation laws, funding of elections, and 'truth in political advertising' during academic and civil society roundtables. On Tuesday, the Committee will discuss the role of digital platforms, social media and media in elections, with the Digital Industry Group Incorporated, followed by representatives of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the University of Canberra’s News and Media Research Centre, Free TV, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the ABC and Reset Australia. Ms Thwaites said ‘Our inquiry has so far received hundreds of submissions with ideas about our electoral system and areas for change. These hearings provide an important opportunity for the Committee to dig deeper into these ideas as we work towards forming our recommendations to the Parliament’. Public hearing details Time: 11am – 4:15pm AEDT Date: Monday, 17 October Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra Time: 9am – 3:45pm AEDT Date: Tuesday, 18 October Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra The public hearings will be webcast live at aph.gov.au/live  Complete terms of reference are available from the Committee website. Media inquiries Mr Alex Collum (03) 9459 1411 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Federal parliament’s Electoral Matters committee will begin hearings for its inquiry into the 2022 federal election by speaking with the Australian Electoral Commission tomorrow (28 September).

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 27 September 2022

  Federal parliament’s Electoral Matters committee will begin hearings for its inquiry into the 2022 federal election by speaking with the Australian Electoral Commission tomorrow (28 September). Committee Chair, Ms Kate Thwaites MP, said the Committee looks forward to gaining insights on the running of the 2022 federal election from the Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers and his team. ‘The AEC delivered the 2022 election for more than 17 million voters,’ Ms Thwaites said. ‘This is a huge logistical exercise, that was made more complex by the pandemic. The committee will hear from the AEC about what worked well, as well as areas that might need reform for future elections. ‘The committee will also look to hear from the AEC about areas it's examining as part of this inquiry, including funding of elections, truth in political advertising laws, and Indigenous enrolment and participation in elections. ‘The committee’s inquiry into the 2022 Election is an important part of keeping our democracy strong and helps ensure the conduct of our elections is accountable and transparent.’ Public hearing details 9:45am AEST Wednesday 28 September 2022 Committee Room 1R2 Parliament House, Canberra The hearing will be broadcast live at http://parlview.aph.gov.au Media inquiries Alex Collum, Office of Kate Thwaites 03-94591411 For background information Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au

A federal parliamentary committee is examining potential electoral reforms as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election. Changes to political donation laws, funding of elections, and 'truth in political advertising' are among the matters being considered.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 20 September 2022

A federal parliamentary committee is examining potential electoral reforms as part of its inquiry into the 2022 federal election. Changes to political donation laws, funding of elections, and 'truth in political advertising' are among the matters being considered. The Chair of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters reminded the public that submissions for the inquiry into the 2022 federal election close soon. Ms Thwaites said ‘I’m looking forward to reading submissions from across Australia on how we can best improve our electoral system. Our committee knows that transparency and trustworthiness in the system are important to voters and our inquiry is looking at these issues and more.’ The Committee is interested in hearing from anyone with a view to share, whether from a major institution or organisation, or an individual who has an interest in the electoral process. Prospective submitters are advised that any submission to the Committee’s inquiry must be prepared solely for the inquiry and should not be published prior to being accepted by the Committee. Complete terms of reference are available from the Committee website. Submissions to the inquiry close on 7 October. Comments are welcome on one or more of the terms of reference, or other matters of relevance to the conduct of the 2022 federal election. Media inquiries Mr Alex Collum (03) 9459 1411 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is now inviting submissions to the review of the 2022 federal election.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 23 August 2022

Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is now inviting submissions to the review of the 2022 federal election. The Committee conducts a review of the previous election early in each new Parliament. Committee Chair Kate Thwaites MP (Jagajaga, Vic) said the inquiry is an important part of ensuring that Australia’s democracy remains strong. ‘This review is an important opportunity to examine how things worked during the last election, including areas that could be improved for future elections. It helps to ensure the conduct of our elections is accountable and transparent and supports public confidence in our electoral system and our democracy,’ Ms Thwaites said. The terms of reference for the inquiry include examining proposals to reform laws on political donations, including real time disclosure and a reduction to the disclosure threshold, and potential reforms to election funding. Additionally, the Committee expects to focus on the potential for 'truth in political advertising' laws to enhance the integrity and transparency of the electoral system; and increasing participation of First Nations People; as well as increased electoral participation and enfranchisement generally. The Committee will be interested in hearing from anyone with a view to share, whether from a major institution like the Australian Electoral Commission, or an individual who has an interest in the electoral process. The Terms of Reference are included below and are available from the Committee website. Submissions are open until 7 October 2022. Comments are welcome on one or more of the terms of reference, or other matters of relevance to the conduct of the 2022 federal election. The Committee expects to hold public hearings in due course. All relevant information will be available from the Committee website as the inquiry progresses. Further information will be available on the Inquiry website.  For background information: Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au Terms of Reference That the Committee inquire into and report on all aspects of the 2022 federal election and related matters, including consideration of: (a) reforms to political donation laws, particularly the applicability of 'real-time' disclosure and a reduction of the disclosure threshold to a fixed $1,000; (b) potential reforms to funding of elections, particularly regarding electoral expenditure caps and public funding of parties and candidates; (c) the potential for 'truth in political advertising' laws to enhance the integrity and transparency of the electoral system; (d) encouraging increased electoral participation and lifting enfranchisement of First Nations People; (e) the potential for the creation of a single national electoral roll capable of being used for all federal, state and territory elections in Australia; (f) encouraging increased electoral participation and supporting enfranchisement generally, and specifically in relation to: i. accessibility of enrolment and voting for persons with a disability; ii. voting rights of Australians abroad; iii. Australian permanent residents and new Australian citizens; and iv. New Zealand citizens residing in Australia; and (g) proportional representation of the states and territories in the Parliament, in the context of the democratic principle of 'one vote, one value'.