The Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee has recommended that the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022 be passed, if amendments are made to strengthen enfranchisement and participation in the referendum, particularly of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and clear, factual and impartial information is made accessible to all voters.

Media release issue date: Monday, 13 February 2023

The Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee has recommended that the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022 be passed, if amendments are made to strengthen enfranchisement and participation in the referendum, particularly of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and clear, factual and impartial information is made accessible to all voters. Tabling the report today Committee Chair Ms Kate Thwaites MP said the inquiry and the legislation were focused on technical aspects of conducting a referendum. ‘Above all, the legislation intends to modernise the referendum process and bring it into line with how recent federal elections have been conducted’ Ms Thwaites said. The Committee recommended that the legislation be passed, but also that: That the Government consider any amendments to support increased enrolment and participation in the referendum, particularly of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including in remote communities. The Government consider any amendments which ensure clear, factual and impartial information is made accessible to all voters as part of the referendum process; and clear, factual and impartial information is provided in appropriate formats for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voters, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Read the full report Media inquiries Mr Alex Collum | Office of Ms Kate Thwaites MP (02) 6277 4305 and (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 aph.gov.au/em. 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.

The Electoral Matters Committee is holding a public hearing on 19 December 2022 as part of its examination of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022.

Media release issue date: Friday, 16 December 2022

The Electoral Matters Committee is holding a public hearing on 19 December 2022 as part of its examination of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022. The Committee will hear from representatives of the Department of Finance, the Australian Electoral Commission as well as legal, electoral and constitutional experts. Committee Chair Ms Kate Thwaites MP said ‘The Committee is looking forward to hearing views on how the bill will modernise the way in which referendums are conducted in Australia, and the value in bringing this process in line with the way today’s federal elections are conducted.’ ‘While I know many are interested in highlighting views on issues like the referendum question, amendments to the Constitution or the merits of the Voice to Parliament, it’s important to note that this inquiry will not be examining these matters; our focus is on the provisions of the bill.’ Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, will be available on the inquiry webpage. Public hearing details in Canberra Time: 10.00 am – 1.30 pm AEDT Date: Monday, 19 December 2022 Location: Main Committee Room, 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 aph.gov.au/em. 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 this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Electoral Matters Committee has commenced a review into the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022. The bill, introduced to the House by Mr Patrick Gorman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, would amend the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 to modernise the Referendum Act to ensure it is consistent with changes made to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 supporting the efficiency, transparency and integrity of Australia’s electoral process.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 1 December 2022

The Electoral Matters Committee has commenced a review into the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022. The bill, introduced to the House by Mr Patrick Gorman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, would amend the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 to modernise the Referendum Act to ensure it is consistent with changes made to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 supporting the efficiency, transparency and integrity of Australia’s electoral process. Committee Chair Ms Kate Thwaites said, ‘the Referendum Act was last used over two decades ago. The Electoral Act, electoral processes and methods of communication about referendums have advanced significantly. Prior to the next referendum it is important that the Referendum Act be updated to reflect these changes.’ ‘The purpose of this review is to allow interested groups and the broader community an opportunity to comment on the mechanisms of how the referendum is conducted. It is not the Committee’s intention to examine the question to be put at the referendum, draft amendments to the Australian Constitution or the merits of a Voice to Parliament’, Ms Thwaites said. The Committee invites written submissions addressing the provisions of the bill. Prospective submitters should note that the Committee does not intend to accept submissions that do not address the provisions of the bill. 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. Submissions are requested by COB Thursday 15 December. Further information about making a submission to a committee inquiry can be found at the following link. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s 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 aph.gov.au/em. 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.