31 March 1999

There have been various media reports suggesting a prosecution of Ms Melissa Manson for failure to vote at a federal election was dismissed in Ringwood Magistrate's Court, on Monday 29 March 1999.

Melissa Manson was convicted for failure to vote at the 1993 federal election on 18 April 1994 and fined $40. Ms Manson was also convicted for failure to vote at the 1996 federal election on 1 April 1997 and fined $20 plus $30 costs. Ms Manson apparently refused to pay these fines imposed by the Victorian Magistrates Court.

Contrary to recent media reports, the AEC was not required to attend the hearing on Ms Manson's failure to pay the court-imposed fines before Magistrate Smith on 29 March 1999, as the AEC was not prosecuting this matter.

As in all other similar cases of failure to pay court-imposed fines for failure to vote, this is a matter between the fine defaulter and the court, and does not involve the AEC.

The Senior Registrar of the Victorian Magistrates Court has advised the AEC that Magistrate Smith dealt with Ms Manson on 29 March by dismissing enforcement costs of $44 only.

The actual charges, involving the non-payment of the fines awarded against Ms Manson, are expected to be relisted for further hearing.

Contact for further information:

Steve Kennedy (Melbourne)
Telephone : 03 9285 7137
Mobile: 0419 575 301

Brien Hallett (Canberra)
Telephone 02 6271 4415
Mobile 0412 059964