Media Release 1999: Mobile Polling in Remote Areas

1 October 1999

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders face two important polls in the next month. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) today reminded these electors that polling day for the ATSIC Regional Council elections is Saturday 9 October followed by polling for the Referendum on Saturday 6 November.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Bill Gray, said today that the AEC is undertaking activities that will ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander electors have reasonable access to information and an opportunity to participate in both electoral events.

There will be 28 local indigenous staff providing background information about the referendum and information on voting arrangements to indigenous communities and organisations throughout Australia as part of a remote area information program. These staff have also been undertaking a similar program for the ATSIC election.

"These locally employed staff are essential to the successful conduct of electoral activity," Mr Gray said, "especially in communities where English is not the first language of the resident population."

Another service provided to remote areas of Australia are the 48 remote-area mobile polling teams. Remote mobile polling will be conducted for both electoral events up to and including the 12 days prior to the respective polling days.

"This is yet another example of the Australian Electoral Commission's commitment to ensuring that every eligible elector has the opportunity to have their say," Mr Gray said.

Some of the more remote regions require employment of unique transportation methods for mobile polling teams and electoral materials. For example, 15 outer island communities from Thursday Island require two remote mobile teams travelling by helicopter and small aeroplane for a four day period prior to election day.

Another initiative by the AEC to overcome language barriers is translation of all radio advertising for the referendum into over 20 indigenous languages to be placed in indigenous media for enrolment and voting services.

Further information:

Brien Hallett
Director Information
Ph: 02 6271 4415 or 0419 294 079

Anthea Wilson
Assistant Director Information
Ph: 03 9285 7114