25 May 2000

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker, rejects suggestions that the independence of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has been compromised by the provision of the electoral roll to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Under the provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Act) the ATO, along with a number of other prescribed Commonwealth agencies, is entitled to receive an electronic copy of the electoral roll.

Information about who has access to electoral information is provided on the Electoral Enrolment form.

As the Act does not provide 'end-use' restrictions on the data supplied to prescribed agencies, the AEC uses the privacy principles under the Privacy Act 1988 for guidance, together with a Safeguard Agreement made between the AEC and the requesting agency.

In the case in question the Safeguard Agreement specifically drawn up between AEC and ATO for this purpose, states that the information is to be used only for the purpose of "a one off mailing of ATO material to electors in May/June 2000".

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) report into the 1996 federal election stated that the AEC should review sections 89-92 of the Act to determine appropriate mechanisms for access to the roll in light of new technologies (Recommendation 53). The AEC is currently preparing a submission to the JSCEM which we expect to submit in the near future. Further enquiries on this review should be directed to the JSCEM.

Andy Becker

Electoral Commissioner

25 May 2000

Media enquiries:

Anthea Wilson, Acting Director Information Phone: 02 6271 4415

Silvana Puizina, Assistant Director Information Phone: 02 6271 4431