7 February 2000

Senior electoral officials from 13 countries throughout the Pacific region are meeting in Brisbane this week to discuss the key electoral issues facing the region in the next two years.

The second meeting of the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators' (PIANZEA) Network is being held from 8 to 10 February, to further the networking between the region's electoral bodies and to address good governance issues relevant to the region.

The Acting Australian Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker said that delegates would be working together to identify the most significant issues facing them as electoral administrators and to identify strategies to address these issues.

"The agenda of the workshop is indicative of the participatory nature of the PIANZEA network, with many of the issues to be discussed emerging from the three days," he said.

"Many participants are also sharing their experiences by presenting a session on their country's recent electoral events."

Some of the issues already on the workshop's agenda are electoral reform, free and fair elections, the professionalism of electoral administrators, and networking in the Pacific.

The PIANZEA network was established to encourage communication and cooperation between electoral bodies and administrators in the Pacific region.

"Since its inaugural meeting in October 1997 in Fiji, the PIANZEA network has been very active and effective in enhancing the exchange of information and ideas," Mr Becker said.

"This can be seen in the visitor programs, provision of technical assistance, as well as the more informal day-to-day networking for support and information," he said.

The countries and territories being represented at the Workshop are: Australia, French Polynesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance also will be represented.

For more information access the PIANZEA home page, hosted on the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au. The home page has links to other members' internet sites where available.

Media contact:

Alistair Legge, Acting Assistant Director, Research and International Services,

Work (02) 6271 4583 or Mobile 0410 764 913.

Dezma Maxwell, Acting Director, Research and International Services.

Work (02) 6271 4429 or Mobile 0410 743 488.