Optional preferential voting, the introduction of the Robson Rotation for House of Representatives ballot papers and an entirely new Electoral Act have all been recommended by the Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee.

Media release issue date: Friday, 11 December 2020

Optional preferential voting, the introduction of the Robson Rotation for House of Representatives ballot papers and an entirely new Electoral Act have all been recommended by the Parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee. Tabling a report into the 2019 Federal Election, Committee Chair Senator James McGrath said Australia’s reputation as a successful democracy was upheld by the delivery of a transparent and robust election outcome. “Australia is one of the oldest most successful democracies in the world,” Senator McGrath said. “But that has not come through chance, or good luck - our democracy works because over a century, generations of people, paid and unpaid, have worked to make it so through blood, sweat and tears. “Our democracy works because countless Australians have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms inherent in democracy. “Our elections are a fundamental cornerstone to our democracy and they should not only be fair, open and transparent, they should be seen to be so. “As technology evolves and society changes, we must ensure our electoral processes are robust and voters are empowered. “There is action that can be taken to increase fairness and protect our electoral system. The Committee’s recommendations will empower the voter, increase transparency, establish further safeguards, and create consistency.” The Committee recommended: To maximise voter choice compulsory preferential voting should be replaced by optional preferential voting. To increase fairness and to reduce the luck of the ballot draw while minimising the so-called donkey vote, the Robson Rotation of candidates on the ballot paper should be introduced for the House of Representatives in tandem. Voter ID should be introduced for all voters with savings measures similar to provisional votes. Likewise, all electoral enrolments, whether new or changes should require proof of ID. The pre poll voting period should be reduced from three weeks to a maximum of two weeks. Voters who choose to vote early should be required to explain why they are unable to attend on the day rather than it being a matter of convenience. The Electoral Act should be completely rewritten to make it fit for purpose. A new offence of political violence, both physical and verbal should be introduced. The rules governing the use of Party names should be tightened to restrict the use of existing party names by new political entrants. “Parliament should also commence a conversation about whether the Parliament should be increased in size,” Senator McGrath said. “Part of the dialogue should consider whether the nexus between the Senate and the House of Representatives should be reformed.” “In addition, consideration should be given to changing the term of the House of Representatives from three years to four years.” You can read the full report by clicking here. Media inquiries Ms Brooke Hargraves | Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0458 689 043 | 07 5441 1800 For background information Committee Secretariat | 02 6277 2374 | em@aph.gov.au

Australians’ capacity to determine credible information from fake content propagated by foreign actors on the internet will be discussed at a public hearing tomorrow.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 25 February 2020

Australians’ capacity to determine credible information from fake content propagated by foreign actors on the internet will be discussed at a public hearing tomorrow. Experts from the University of Canberra will share their findings with the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters as part of the inquiry into the 2019 Federal election. The News & Media Research Centre submitted to the Committee that compared to sophisticated weapons systems, the requirements for influence campaigns are minimal. ‘Unlike the technical hurdles involved in missile defence or nuclear weapons, influence operations can be carried out using a computer screen and an internet connection…’ the submission said. Committee Chair Senator James McGrath says foreign interference and misinformation must be combated to protect our democratic institutions. ‘The way we access information is changing. Australians are increasingly turning to digital technology, away from traditional forms of media. Information is more accessible than ever before – and the ways disinformation can be spread is evolving all the time. So the Committee looks forward to hearing how we can better protect our democratic institutions from manipulation as we move further into the digital age,’ Senator McGrath said. Public hearing Date: Wednesday 26 February Time: 9.50am – 10.40am Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Ms Brooke Hargraves | Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0458 689 043 or (07) 5441 1800 For background information Committee Secretariat | 02 6277 2374 | em@aph.gov.au

The Electoral Matters Committee will travel to each State and Territory as part of its inquiry into the 2019 federal election.

Media release issue date: Monday, 24 February 2020

The Electoral Matters Committee will travel to each State and Territory as part of its inquiry into the 2019 federal election. The Committee is expected to hear from a wide range of witnesses including organisations, civil society groups, third-party actors, academics and individuals, to name a few. Committee Chair Senator James McGrath says the Committee must take into account a range of factors when making its recommendations. ‘Each State and Territory will have their own nuances and differences when it comes to how elections are conducted,’ Senator McGrath said. ‘How things are done in the metropolitan seat of Melbourne will differ to how things are done in the regional seat of Riverina, and understanding that is all part of the challenge.’ ‘By taking this inquiry around the country, the Committee will hear a broader range of evidence from a wider spectrum of society on issues such as pre-poll voting, third-party actors and political representation.’ Public hearing details Canberra Date: Wednesday, 26 February Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House Melbourne Date: Monday, 16 March Location: Cliftons venues, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne Sydney Date: Tuesday, 17 March Location: Masonic Centre, Tuscan Room, 66 Goulburn Street Adelaide Date: Friday, 20 March Location: Constitution Room, Old Parliament House, North Terrace Hobart Date: Monday, 30 March Location: Committee Room 2, Parliament House Brisbane Date: Thursday, 2 April Location: Room 3, Queensland Parliament House, Cnr of George and Alice Streets Darwin Date: Monday, 20 April Location: Dining Room, level 4 Parliament House Perth Date: Tuesday, 21 April Location: Legislative Council Committee Office of Western Australia, Ground Floor, 18-32 Parliament Place, West Perth Canberra Date: Friday, 15 May Location: Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra Specific times for the hearings will be made available on the Committee’s website in coming days. Media inquiries Ms Brooke Hargraves Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0458 689 043 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hear from the Australian Electoral Commission tomorrow at the first public hearing for the inquiry into the 2019 federal election.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 5 December 2019

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hear from the Australian Electoral Commission tomorrow at the first public hearing for the inquiry into the 2019 federal election. Committee Chair, Senator James McGrath, said the Committee looks forward to hearing insights from Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers and his team. ‘The AEC has a big job in delivering effective elections. The world is changing though, and we need to make sure the AEC can keep doing its job well,’ Senator McGrath said. ‘We know that the legislation around elections is highly prescriptive. We also know there are some real logistical challenges for the AEC. Finding voting centre venues, recruiting election day staff and dealing with the sheer volume of ballot papers – are just some of the practical problems the AEC deals with,’ ‘We’re looking forward to hearing not just how these sorts of problems can be dealt with, but also the bigger issues of electoral interference and the rise of third party political campaigners.’ Senator McGrath said. Public hearing details: Date: Friday 6 December 2019 Time: 8.00 am Location: Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Ms Brooke Hargraves Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0458 689 043 07 5441 1800 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au

Political advertising on social and traditional media is being investigated by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters as part of its inquiry into the 2019 Federal election.

Media release issue date: Friday, 13 September 2019

Political advertising on social and traditional media is being investigated by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters as part of its inquiry into the 2019 Federal election. Committee Chair, Senator James McGrath, said social media has blurred the lines of what is and isn’t political advertising. ‘It was clear in the 2019 election that Australians were inundated with a huge volume of political advertising on all platforms. But perhaps of more concern is the rise in political disinformation from ambiguous sources online,’ the Senator said. ‘Smart phones and social media have changed how Australians publish and access information. Digital platforms are taking over traditional media – but the regulatory framework hasn’t kept up.’ ‘Electoral integrity is crucial for a healthy democracy. We need to hear from people with solid ideas on how we can keep our electoral processes strong.’ Anybody can make a submission that address the terms of reference. Submissions attract protection under the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1997. Submissions close 20 September and the Committee expects to hold public hearings later this year. People wishing to make a submission can call the secretariat for advice or visit aph.gov.au/em for more information. Media inquiries Ms Brooke Hargraves Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0458 689 043 or (07) 5441 1800 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au

Submissions are now open for the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the 2019 Federal Election. The roles of pre-poll voting, political advertising standards, disinformation and third-party actors are expected to be examined by the Committee.

Media release issue date: Friday, 9 August 2019

  Submissions are now open for the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the 2019 Federal Election. The roles of pre-poll voting, political advertising standards, disinformation and third-party actors are expected to be examined by the Committee. Committee Chair, Senator James McGrath said that Australia had seen more people casting their vote before election day than ever before. ‘More and more Australians are choosing to vote early. It is imperative we have voting options, but we need to examine what impact this increased uptake in pre-poll voting is having’, he said. Senator McGrath said the rise of social media manipulation and disinformation campaigns were a threat to democracy. ‘Increasingly, Australians are consuming and accessing their news online, away from traditional offline sources. We need to ensure our electoral processes take the serious dangers of digital platforms and disinformation into account.’ The Committee is expected to hear from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Senator McGrath said, ‘Elections are everybody’s business, so we are not just reviewing the AECs performance. This inquiry is an opportunity to look at all actors who participate in our elections, including third-parties. It is an opportunity to see what we can do to improve future elections.’ Submissions are open until 20 September 2019. The terms of reference can be found on the Committee's website. Media inquiries Ms Brooke Hargraves Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0458 689 043 or 07 5441 1800 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 | em@aph.gov.au