Senator John Faulkner
06/2009
21 February 2009
The Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner today congratulated the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on its 25th anniversary.
The AEC was established as an independent statutory authority on 21 February 1984 following major amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. Between 1973 and 1984 it was known as the Australian Electoral Office, having been first established as a branch of the Department of Home Affairs in 1902.
In 1983 the newly elected Hawke Labor government established a parliamentary committee, the Joint Select Committee on Electoral Reform (now the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters) which became the focal point for changes to the electoral system. The Committee’s work gave rise to such changes as the printing of party affiliations on ballot papers, the introduction of party financing laws, as well as the creation of the independent Australian Electoral Commission.
Since its creation, the AEC has conducted nine federal elections, referenda, numerous by-elections and a wide range of other electoral activities.
The AEC has also been very active overseas, for example, in providing assistance with landmark elections in South Africa and East Timor, and assisting emerging democracies in developing countries to build electoral knowledge and election management capabilities.
A number of activities are planned over 2009 to celebrate this anniversary and the AEC’s 25 years of service to the Australian community. Further details of anniversary activities will be placed by the AEC on its website in the coming weeks.| Media Contact: | Website: |
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| Media Adviser - Colin Campbell - 0407 787 181 | www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au |