Electoral Changes Unfair And Undemocratic

The Howard Government's new electoral reforms are an unfair and deceitful attack on the right of young people and people who live in remote communities to vote, Member for Lingiari and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia and Indigenous Affairs Warren Snowdon said today.

'The right to be enrolled and vote in elections are essential rights which belong to all Australians.

'People need to be able to vote and participate in a democracy for the system to work,' he said.

The proposed changes would mean that: - People eligible to vote will be only be allowed until 8 p.m. on the day an election is called to enrol, and those already on the roll will only be given three days to update their enrolment. At present, seven days are allowed for both; - People enrolling to vote will be required to present photographic identification, or have their application signed by two referees.

Under the new laws, the voting rights of prisoners serving sentences of less than three years would also be removed.

'What these changes will do is cut off the opportunity for unenrolled young Territorians and those living in remote areas to get on the roll and have their say.

'People living in remote communities often don't have access to a regular mail service, do not have an Electoral Commission office nearby, and may not have photographic identification.

'How can they be expected to complete enrolment forms in the space of a day?' Mr Snowdon asked.

'Cuts to electoral education for remote communities by the Howard Government has already created a dire situation for people in remote communities.

'These new laws are a further attempt to disenfranchise young people and people who live in remote communities.

'The simple fact is the Government doesn't want these people to vote because they do not think they will vote for them,' Mr Snowdon said.

2006-03-30