Submission: Inquiry into the 2020 ACT Election and the Electoral Act

ACTCOSS appreciated work that Elections ACT undertook in engaging with the community sector in the lead up the 2020 election to ensure that the election process and requirements were accessible and understood.

In this submission to the Inquiry into the 2020 ACT Election and the Electoral Act, ACTCOSS identified two main concerns:

• The scope of ACT election authorisation requirements and the prioritisation of onerous compliance activities which appear to be overly focused on community sector organisations. We invite the Standing Committee to consider whether the requirements for authorising materials under the ACT Electoral Act are appropriate.
• Reports that detainees in the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) had not received any candidate or party information, including how-to-vote cards, in the lead up to the ACT election. ACTCOSS would like to see work undertaken by elected representatives, Elections ACT, political parties, the AMC and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate to ensure voters in the AMC are extended their democratic rights to receive electoral information.