Media Release 1998: Langer Style Votes Informal

1 October 1998

The Federal Court in Sydney yesterday dismissed an injunction application by Mr Joseph Bryant in relation to Langer-style voting.

Recent amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act have made a Langer-style vote, that is, a House of Representatives vote marked "1,2,3,3,3,…etc.", informal, such votes will no longer be counted by the AEC.

Mr Albert Langer is claiming that such a vote must be formal by virtue of section 268 of the Act (which provides the grounds for informality of votes), and that the AEC must count such votes.

In dismissing the injunction application, with costs against Mr Bryant, Justice Wilcox is reported to have said, "It seems to me that the AEC advice on Langer-style voting is correct."

The written decision of Justice Wilcox is awaited.

Further Information
Brien Hallett
02 62714415