Australian Electoral Commission Resists Howard’s Political Intervention

5 September 2007

Australian Electoral Commission Resists Howard’s Political Intervention

Queensland Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser today applauded the Australian Electoral Commission for resisting the Federal Government’s desperate attempt to disrupt the federal election with local government issues in Queensland.

Mr Fraser told Queensland Parliament today that a Senate Inquiry, which is examining proposed Commonwealth legislation to provide for taxpayer funded polls on amalgamation, has heard from Deputy Electoral Commissioner Paul Dacey.

“Mr Dacey told the inquiry that the AEC would resist the attempts of the Local Government Association of Queensland to hold plebiscites on October 20,” Mr Fraser said.

“He said ‘it is out of the question’.”

Mr Dacey said:

“Because of the uncertainty of the date of the federal election, we would be very reluctant to tie up considerable AEC resources in the next few weeks given that it is quite possible that the Prime Minister may call the election after APEC.*

He further stated the AEC is not even considering the possibility of having an attendance ballot in conjunction with the federal poll.

“Other than the issue of section 394 of the Commonwealth Electorate Act … there are all sorts of other issues of confusion – boundary differences, voting differences, different ballot papers, higher informality possibilities – that we are not even contemplating that as an option at this stage.”*

“This entire process, driven by the Prime Minister, is quickly being exposed as being about his vote, not about the vote of any Queensland shire,” Mr Fraser said.

“The Local Government Association of Queensland told everyone last week that the Federal Local Government Minister would announce a date for the polls, but nothing has happened.

“The LGAQ told everyone they were off to Canberra yesterday to sort out the arrangements – once again, nothing has happened.”

“The AEC should be applauded for their stance in relation to this ridiculous stunt which has no bearing on reform legislation.

“They know their charter is to run federal elections on federal issues and we should all be grateful for the independence of the AEC.

“Instead of attempting to compromise the independence of the AEC, John Howard should front up and call the federal election to answer the Australian people.”

* Source: Transcript Inquiry into Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007 – Public Hearing Cairns 3 September 2007.

Media Contact: Chris Ward 0418 424 654