18 October 1999

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Bill Gray, today confirmed that the official referendum internet web site of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is referendum.aec.gov.au

Mr Gray was commenting on reports that there is another internet web site address, which includes the letters 'aec' and the word 'referendum'. This site has been the subject of complaints to the AEC.

"I am concerned that people might be confused by the use of the letters 'aec' in this unofficial web site address and conclude that this site is the official AEC site."

Mr Gray said that the only official AEC web sites are its ongoing site (www.aec.gov.au) and its special referendum site (referendum.aec.gov.au).

"While other sites may be operating with names similar to ours, these are the only two sites where people can access official information about the voting process and be confident that the material is correct.

Mr Gray said that the AEC had referred these complaints to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Further information

Brien Hallett

02 62714415