35/2010
25 June 2010
Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, today welcomed the passage of two more electoral reform Bills, which return fairness to the electoral system and make participation in the electoral process easier.
“This legislation is part of a suite of important electoral reforms passed by the Parliament in the winter sitting period,” Senator Ludwig said.
Yesterday the Parliament passed the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (How-to-Vote Cards and Other Measures) Bill 2010 and Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2010.
“The first Bill ensures that the authorisation requirements for how-to-vote cards are clear, so people know on whose behalf the cards are being handed out on election day,” Senator Ludwig said.
“This is another important step to improving integrity of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.”
“The Government’s Modernisation Bill implements a range of measures to ensure, wherever possible, unnecessary barriers to people’s right to vote are removed.”
“Importantly it reduces the age of provisional enrolment from 17 to 16 years old and makes enrolment and voting by homeless person’s easier.”
“It also allows for people to apply for postal votes online and improves the flexibility of the Electoral Commission running federal elections.”
The Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Pre-poll Voting and Other Measures) Bill 2010 was passed by the Parliament last Thursday.
“These three Bills continue the Government’s agenda to reform the Commonwealth Electoral Act and make it easier for Australians to enrol and exercise their right to vote.”
| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Sarah McSporran — 0423 823 843 | www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au |