Electoral and Referendum Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Electoral and Referendum Regulations 2 (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1981 No. 841, enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 28 April 1981, is a legislative instrument designed to make amendments to the existing Electoral and Referendum Regulations. This regulation was introduced to address discrepancies in the pricing structure related to the sale of electoral rolls, as stipulated in sub-section 37(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The policy objective is to update the pricing rates to reflect the current economic conditions and ensure efficient administration of electoral processes. These amendments were made under the authority of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906, with the intent to streamline and modernise the electoral system.

Scope and Application

The Electoral and Referendum Regulations 2, as amended, applies to the management and administration of electoral rolls and referendum processes within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation is pertinent to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906, governing the conduct and requirements for the sale of electoral rolls as stipulated under subsection 37(1) of the Act. It impacts entities such as the Commonwealth Electoral Commission, which is responsible for the maintenance and distribution of electoral rolls, as well as individuals and organisations involved in electoral activities or seeking to purchase rolls for legitimate purposes. The amendment specifically modifies the pricing structure for the sale of electoral rolls, setting new rates as outlined in the regulation. This legislative instrument extends its reach across the entire Commonwealth, ensuring uniformity in electoral practices and procedures nationwide. Exclusions and exemptions are not explicitly detailed in the provided excerpt, but the regulation’s amendments pertain narrowly to the financial aspects of roll sales, implying that other regulatory aspects remain unaffected by these changes. The regulation's authority is derived from the primary acts, and any further specifications or modifications would be subject to subsequent legislative or regulatory amendments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislative instrument, the Electoral and Referendum Regulations 2 (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1981 No. 841, pertain to the amendment of Regulation 7 concerning the sale of rolls under subsection 37 (1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. Specifically, Regulation 7 is amended to change the prices listed in the table from “1.20”, “0.30” and “0.10” to “8.30”, “0.80” and “0.30” respectively. This means that the new prices for the sale of electoral rolls will be $8.30, $0.80, and $0.30, depending on the type of roll being sold. The obligations and requirements imposed by these regulations on the parties or entities they govern include adhering to the new pricing structure for the sale of electoral rolls. This amendment ensures that the prices for these rolls are updated in accordance with the legislative changes, thereby reflecting any adjustments made to the cost of producing and distributing these documents. The legislative instrument does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, it is reasonable to infer that any failure to comply with the updated pricing structure could potentially result in administrative penalties or legal action under the relevant sections of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The exact nature and severity of any penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and any applicable laws or regulations governing the sale of electoral rolls.