34/2010
17 June 2010
Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, today welcomed the passage of the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Pre-poll Voting and Other Measures) Bill 2010.
“This is an important achievement as part of the Rudd Government’s ongoing efforts to restore integrity and fairness to the Commonwealth Electoral Act,” Senator Ludwig said.
“Importantly, the legislation gives blind and low vision voters the option of casting a secret vote at the next federal election.”
“They will have the option of attending an AEC divisional office where they can be connected to trained call centre operators to complete the ballot papers.”
“The Government’s amendments will ensure suitable arrangements can be put in place in the lead up to the next federal election. Longer term solutions, offering a secret and independent vote, will continue to be developed.”
The legislation also allows people who are already enrolled to update their address details electronically.
“The Rudd Government is firmly committed to removing barriers to electoral participation – all Australians should have an equal right to participate in our democracy,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The Bill will make re-enrolment easier and quicker for ordinary Australians.”
Other measures include enabling pre-poll votes cast in an elector’s House of Representatives electorate to be cast and counted as ordinary votes, and will restrict the number of candidates that can be endorsed by a political party in a House of Representatives seat.
“These measures are an important first step. However, I call on the Senate to support the Government’s three other Electoral and Referendum Amendment Bills, which are also before the Senate, as well as the Political Donations Bill 2009, which has been blocked by the Opposition and Senator Fielding,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The Liberal Party is standing in the way of tens of thousands of ordinary Australians having their say at the next federal election.”
| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Sarah McSporran — 0423 823 843 | www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au |