Report on the conduct of the 2016 federal election and matters related thereto

November 2018

© Commonwealth of Australia 2018
ISBN: 978-1-74366-742-2

View the report as a single document:

View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Chair's Foreword

Members

Terms of Reference

Abbreviations

List of Recommendations

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

  Conduct of the inquiry

2. 2016 federal election overview and key issues

  The 2016 federal election
  A double dissolution
  Reform for the Senate
  Implementation of post-2013 reforms

3. Voter enrolment and participation

  The Electoral Roll
  Voter turnout
  Voter identification
  Indigenous enrolment and voting

4. Voter access

  Polling places
  Pre-poll voting
  Postal voting
  Overseas voting
  Mobile voting
  Voting services for blind and low vision voters

5. Technology in elections

  Electronic voting
  Scanning of ballot papers
  Electronic Certified Lists
  Conclusion

6. Political donations

  High Court judgments
  Reform proposals put to this inquiry
  Committee comment
  Other jurisdictions
  How does Australia compare to other countries?
  Australian jurisdictions
  Selected international jurisdictions

7. Democracy and digital technology

  Understanding disinformation
  Social media manipulation
  Media literacy
  Interim committee conclusions

A. Submissions and Exhibits

  Submissions
  Exhibits

B. Public hearings and witnesses

C. Terms of Senators elected in 2016

  New South Wales
  Victoria
  Queensland
  Western Australia
  South Australia
  Tasmania

Dissent – Australian Labor Party

Dissent and additional comments – Australian Greens

  Dissenting remarks
  Additional comments

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 2374
em@aph.gov.au