27/2009
1 July 2009
Today marks the commencement of the Rudd Government’s program to improve the electoral enrolment and participation of Indigenous Australians.
The Australian Electoral Commission has been provided with $13 million over four years to close the gap in areas of Indigenous disadvantage by improving electoral participation.
The aim of the measure is to improve electoral knowledge and increase Indigenous enrolment levels, voter turnout and formal voting.
Consultation with Indigenous and other bodies will take place in the second half of 2009, and will be finalised by February 2010, with the identification and recruitment of Indigenous field staff starting from March 2010.
This initiative is in addition to the Government’s plans to reform the electoral system.
We are considering submissions for the first Green Paper on electoral reform, with the goal on enacting a fairer and more transparent system.
A second Green Paper on a broader range of options will be released later this year.
| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Sarah Cosson - 0423 823 843 or (02) 6277 7600 | www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au |