After every election the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) meets to review the election – what went well, what went badly, and most importantly how to improve the election experience and increase accuracy.
This year the Government has opened the JSCEM inquiry with a very limited terms of reference, which is a very unusual decision.
Many thousands of submissions have been made, these are either not being published or published with heavy redactions.
Today I asked questions in Senate Estimates to draw attention to some of the areas in this election that must be done better next time. I call on the Government to upgrade the JSCEM Inquiry to a full inquiry, as normal.
Every Australian who has made a submission deserved to have their concerns dealt with.
I had a strange experience recently with the AEC. Somebody has been enrolled at my address – I’ve lived here for 15 years and have never had anyone else live here that I don’t know about. I sent the first enrolment confirmation letter back to the AEC and heard nothing. I then got the “welcome” letters from my local mp’s for the bogus person. That’s when I phoned the AEC. The AEC employee was a bit nervous and unsure how this mistake had happened and had to have a chat with the supervisor to check some things out. Alarmingly, I was told that due to privacy regulations they couldn’t tell me anything about this other person who was now enrolled at MY address. Sorry, who’s privacy has been affected here? They informed me that my objection had been noted and that it will eventually work itself out. Here’s the big concern – how was this person I.d.’d with having my address? That is the over-riding concern. Does that mean anyone can vote anywhere, as many times as they want with any name and pick an address out of the phone book and if enough people did it, sway a vote in a key electorate?
Sadly, as with many government departments these days, is simply not good enough.
Well done senator. That bobbleheaded boob was not enjoying the scrutiny. Why are senators always rushed for time in asking the tough questions?
What a joke, we have an electoral system using phone calls to transfer numbers, therefore no record of the numbers.
This, in addition to no ID when voting- and we still vote for the major parties?
Talk about open to abuse by political party members self-interests in the outcome. Especially to anyone on the left side, going by history.
Is this a third world country or what?
Thank you Senator. You’re 100% right that this process should be more transparent and not less. Appreciate you continuing to shine a light on this situation.
Thank you, Senator, I’m sure there would be many more questions you would like to put to the AEC, re the last election on 21/5/22. The fact there have been c 6000 enquiries re its conduct, says a lot, IMHO. These 2 individuals don’t inspire a lot of confidence, again IMHO.
Hi Senator Roberts,
You do outstanding work in the Senate Estimates enquiries. Thankyou soooo much and please keep your questions coming to these people sitting before you.
Re:- I call on the Government to upgrade the JSCEM Inquiry to a full inquiry, as normal.
Will you be following up and pressuring the Government if required, to reinstate the previous full inquiry by the JSCEM after each election? Please let us know the outcome of their response.
The Australian public in the most part, do NOT trust the Electoral system anymore and have suspicions that the Electoral Commissions in each State and Territory as well as Federally are not being 100% alert and as efficient as they should be. Nor being open and transparent with the voting public when questions have and are being raised.
The last Queensland State election is a point of note where sooo many people expressed concern and dismay about the level of outcome to the Labor Party there. There seems to be a gross lack of will to scrutinise voting and the machines being used and how they are calibrated.
The upcoming Victorian election will also need to be thoroughly scrutinised and transparent to the voting public of Victoria because no-one trust Daniel Andrews and the msm will not scrutinise or investigate, nor report any suspicious annomolies. They are inbed with Andrews!!!
Regaeds
Colleen Roberts
Senator Roberts, if only all our politicians were as dogged and diligent in their search for truth as you! Thank you for everything you do.