EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Issued by the Authority of the Special Minister of State

Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2006

Proclamation

The Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2006 (the Act) primarily amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act) and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984.  The amendments introduce reforms following recommendations made in the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters’ Report of the Inquiry into the Conduct of the 2004 Federal Election and Matters Related Thereto as well as some additional reform measures considered a priority by the Government.

The table at subsection 2(1) of the Act provides that items 17 to 19 of Schedule 1 to the Act commence on a single day to be fixed by Proclamation.  If any of these provisions do not commence within the period of eight months beginning on the day on which the Act receives Royal Assent, they commence on the first day after the end of that period.  The Act received Royal Assent on 22 June 2006.

The purpose of the Proclamation is to fix 21 November 2006 as the day on which items 17 to 19 of Schedule 1 to the Act commence.

Along with items that commence at the same time, items 17 to 19 insert new provisions into the Electoral Act to establish a proof of identity scheme.  Once regulations are made to implement the scheme, all applicants for enrolment, re-enrolment and those changing their enrolment will be required to provide evidence of their identity.

Consultation was unnecessary for this legislative instrument as this instrument is of a machinery nature only.