Don’t wait for Federal election to be called to enrol to vote

Queenslanders not enrolled to vote should do so now and not wait until the Federal election is called, Attorney-General Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine told State Parliament today that more than 250,000 Queenslanders were eligible to enrol to vote but have not done so.

“I am concerned many Queenslanders are unaware that Howard Government laws dramatically reduce the time they have to enrol to vote once the Federal election is called,” Mr Shine said.

“At the next Federal election, there will no longer be a full week to enrol after the writ for the election is issued. People enrolling to vote for the first time and those people re-enrolling must now do so by 8pm the day the writ is issued,” he said.

“I am concerned the impact this will have on the young and people living in rural and regional areas.”

“The recent estimates are that there are more than 250,000 Queenslanders eligible to vote, but are not enrolled to vote. 250,000 votes spread across Queensland federal electorates could be the difference between who forms the next Federal Government.”

Mr Shine said he feared thousands of Queenslanders who are eligible to vote, and wanted to vote, would be denied a vote at the Federal election because of the changes.

“There has been recent advertising campaign by the Australian Electoral Commission highlighting the changes,” Mr Shine said.

“I urge all Queenslanders who have not enrolled to vote or who have to do so enrol now and not to wait for the Prime Minister to call the election.”

People seeking assistance with enrolment can contact the Electoral Commission of Queensland or the Australian Electoral Commission or obtain an enrolment form from the Australia Post office.

The Electoral Commission of Queensland can be contacted on 1300 881 665, while the Australian Electoral Commission can be contacted on 13 23 26.

6 September 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au