1998 Federal Election and Matters Related Thereto
Media Releases

Media release, 24 August 1999

AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS TO APPEAR BEFORE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hear from Senator Andrew Bartlett of the Australian Democrats on 24 August 1999 as part of its inquiry into the 1998 federal election.

Committee Chair, Mr Gary Nairn MP, Member for Eden-Monaro, said, 'In their submission the Australian Democrats have made 16 recommendations concerning five major themes. These relate to:
amending section 44 of the Constitution;
regulation of political parties;
disclosure of party donations and expenditure;
the voting rights of prisoners; and
truth in political advertising.'

'I expect a number of productive suggestions will come from the hearing,' said Mr Nairn. 'Party submissions to election inquiries are generally about how they can more effectively perform that task and the Australian Democrats is no exception to that rule.'

Mr Nairn reported that the Committee's inquiry is progressing well with recent hearings in Alice Springs and Brisbane and a couple of further hearings expected in Canberra. The Committee expects to deliver its report before the end of the year.

Ends
23 August 1999
Further information: Gary Nairn MP (Chair) 02 6277 4939 (Parliament House)
Bev Forbes (Secretary) 02 6277 2374

Details of Hearing and Committee membership attached

PROGRAM : PUBLIC HEARING

12.30 - 2.00 pm Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett

Membership of the Committee

Mr Gary Nairn MP (Chair)
Mr Laurie Ferguson MP (Deputy Chair)
Senator Andrew Bartlett
Senator the Hon. John Faulkner
Senator Brett Mason
Senator Andrew Murray
Senator the Hon. Ron Boswell
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.

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