House of Representatives Committees

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters

1998 Federal Election and Matters Related Thereto
Media Releases

Media release, 22 June 1999

LIBERAL PARTY TO APPEAR BEFORE ELECTORAL MATTERS COMMITTEE

The Federal Director of the Liberal Party, Lynton Crosby, will appear before the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on 22 June to discuss improvements to Australia's electoral laws as part of the Committee's inquiry in to the 1998 federal election.

'The political parties are very proactive in suggesting changes to the electoral laws, and the Liberal Party is no exception,' Chair Mr Gary Nairn, Member for Eden-Monaro, said.

The Liberal Party are advocating a suite of changes on a disparate range of issues, including the streamlining of the financial reporting process for political parties; improvement in the electoral education process; and the clarification of Section 44 of the Constitution, which dictates who is eligible to run for federal parliament.

Mr Crosby is also likely to be critical of certain aspects of the conduct of the 1998 federal election, such as the effectiveness of the Australian Electoral Commission's conduct of pre poll voting in remote areas, and the process for establishing polling booths.

'Political parties are one of the pillars of democracy in Australia. They have an important role in ensuring voters make a considered choice at each election.' Mr Nairn said, 'Their views on the electoral system are therefore crucial to its health.'

Ends
22 June 1999
Further information: Gary Nairn MP (Chair) 02 - 6277 4939 (Parliament House)
Bev Forbes (Secretary) 02 - 6277 4582

PROGRAM : PUBLIC HEARING

TUESDAY 22 JUNE 1999
House of Representatives Committee Room 2R2
Parliament House
Canberra

12.40 - 1.40 pm Liberal Party of Australia - Mr Lynton Crosby, Federal Director

Membership of the Committee

Mr Gary Nairn MP (Chair)
Mr Laurie Ferguson MP (Deputy Chair)
Senator Andrew Bartlett
Senator the Hon. John Faulkner
Senator Ross Lightfoot
Senator Andrew Murray
Senator Karen Synon
Mr Michael Danby MP
Mr John Forrest MP
Hon. Alex Somlyay MP

Inquiry into the Conduct of the 1998 Federal Election and matters related thereto : Terms of Reference

On 10 December 1998 the Special Minister of State, Senator the Hon. Chris Ellison, referred the following to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters:

"That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquire into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 1998 federal election and matters related thereto."

The terms of reference for an election inquiry are generally very broad, allowing the Committee to focus on those issues which are considered most pressing by the Committee and the respondents to the inquiry.