Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, and Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, are today reminding Canberrans to make sure they are correctly enrolled on the ACT electoral roll before changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act commence early in the new year.
Under the new rules, 10,359 electors could have lost their right to vote in the electorates of Canberra and Fraser in the last election. The changes mean that new electors will only have until 8pm on the day the writs are issued to apply to go on the roll and those seeking to change their details will only have three days. The changes also include new, more stringent proof of identity requirements which could make it more difficult for those who are new to an area to verify their enrolment.
Senator Lundy said that since the beginning of October she and her ACT Labor colleagues have been holding a series of enrolment stalls across the ACT. Stalls have been held at the ANU and Canberra University as well as at public functions such as the Eid Mela celebrations and various shopping centres.
Senator Lundy said, “The stalls have particularly targeted young people who may not yet be on the electoral roll as they will have such a limited opportunity to register once the election has been called.”
Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, has attended a series of stalls at shopping centres throughout the south of Canberra. Ms Ellis said, “Many shoppers have told me they are appalled that these changes have been made and query the need for them. They are particularly concerned to ensure that their details and those of other family members are up to date, as they know they may lose their vote at the next election if their details have not been changed in time.”
Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, has also attended shopping centre stalls in his electorate. Mr McMullan said that people he has spoken to are concerned about the new proof of identity requirements which could discriminate against new citizens or people who have just moved to a new electorate and may not know anyone eligible to sign their enrolment form.
The three federal members will continue to hold enrolment information stalls over the coming weeks to encourage people to get on the roll and to update their details before the end of the year. The next stalls will be on Saturday 2 December at Erindale and Garema Place and Friday 8 December in Civic.
Contact: Rachel Allen for Senator Kate Lundy on 0418 488 295
