Independent Review – Department of Finance
On 28 October 2021, the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters, the Hon Ben Morton MP introduced legislation to require voters to present identification at the issuing point of a polling place prior to receiving a ballot paper.
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) has reported that there is community concern around instances of electoral fraud and this may contribute to a lack of confidence in the electoral system. This legislation is intended to improve the integrity of electoral events and reduce the risk of fraud and multiple voting. Voters would be required to present acceptable identification such as a drivers licence, passport, Medicare card, an account statement from a utilities provider with their name.
Consistent with the Government’s Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) requirements, the 2013, 2016 and 2019 reports of the JSCEM have been certified by the Department of Finance as meeting the requirements of a RIS. The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) does not assess the quality of independent reviews and RIS-like documents used in lieu of a RIS, but does assess whether the options analysed in the independent review are relevant to the regulatory proposal. The OBPR assessed that the options analysed in the independent review are sufficiently relevant to the regulatory proposal.
The agency estimates the average annual regulatory costs at $0.
A copy of the Report on the conduct of the 2013 federal election and matters related thereto is also available HERE.