Media Release 2002: AEC Welcomes the ANAO Report into the Electoral Roll

18 April 2002

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) welcomes the release of the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO report) into the integrity of the electoral roll.

Australian Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker said that the AEC found pleasing the report's conclusion that the Australian electoral roll is one of high integrity.

"This is extremely important as the integrity of the electoral roll is essential for the conduct of free and fair elections and for the confidence of the Australian public in our electoral system," Mr Becker said.

"The report states emphatically that the electoral roll can be relied on for electoral purposes, which I believe confirms the AEC's and community's longstanding view on the reliability of the roll.

"The report also states that AEC management, policies and procedures and their implementation in relation to the electoral roll are effective, which I credit to the superior commitment and effort of all AEC staff."

Mr Becker said that it was very rewarding to have this very positive outcome from the independent and extensive review, which was conducted between May 2001 and February 2002.

"While we have already achieved a very high standard, the AEC is committed to continuing to increase its endeavours to further enhance the management of the electoral roll," he said.

"The AEC agrees with and is already actively considering the twelve recommendations the ANAO made in the report to further enhance the integrity of the electoral roll."

"The roll is a public and dynamic document, and the AEC is already undertaking and will continue to undertake a wide range of initiatives to ensure the roll is as accurate, complete, valid and secure as possible."

In particular, the report recommended the management of the roll could be improved by strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, further expansion of data sources used to update the roll, and continuing to identify and manage risks to the integrity of the roll.

Further information:

Brien Hallett
Assistant Commissioner
Information & Research
Phone 02 6271 4477
0413 274 798