30 July 2004

A federal election will occur in the next six months and with it the call to the polls for more than 13 million Australian voters. It is a time of energy, anticipation and a wide-ranging discussion of issues.

Community confidence in the AEC is an important part of our democratic fabric. It is for this reason that I wish to address some comments made this week on a Brisbane radio station. In this session a range of unsupported claims were made which may give rise to concerns in the wider community.

The AEC's job is much more than the huge logistical task of setting up more than 7,000 polling places on election day. Our role also embraces affirming the standards and values embodied in the spirit of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

These values incorporate respect for the law, transparency and integrity, to which we are utterly committed. Due process is part of all of the things we do from keeping the roll updated, counting votes and administering disclosure laws.

The Australian public can be assured that AEC is subject to accountability and external scrutiny. For example:

• The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO): The ANAO issued a performance audit of the roll in April 2004 which concluded that overall the electoral roll was one of high integrity, and that it could be relied on for electoral purposes.
• The bi-partisan Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM): In every Parliamentary enquiry into the conduct of federal elections since 1984, the JSCEM has found that there has been no widespread and organised electoral fraud.
• The JSCEM has also issued a separate report into the integrity of the electoral roll which found no evidence of systematic electoral fraud. The AEC supports the Committee's view that vigilance is required to ensure that this state of affairs continues.

I have addressed some specific claims made in recent times below.

Planning and running a federal election is a privilege that requires a lot of hard work to ensure the success of what is effectively Australia's largest community event in which nearly every adult will participate. Along with my dedicated staff I'm looking forward to the next election as the culmination of three years productive and inspiring work.

Andy Becker

Electoral Commissioner

30 July 2004

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 1.CLAIM: That somebody hacked into the AEC's computer system at the 1993 election.

FACT: Nobody hacked into the AEC's computer system at the 1993 election. An individual was detected hacking into the AEC's computer system in December 1992 and was prosecuted. At no stage did the hacker have access to key systems such as the election management system or the electoral roll. In line with technical developments over the past decade, computer security at the AEC is rigorous and extensive.

2. CLAIM: That the AEC has 'outsourced' its call centre for the next election and this presents a security problem.

FACT: The AEC has outsourced its call centre before (at the 2001 election). At the next election, the AEC will be using Centrelink to provide an enquiry service because that government organisation is able to meet the AEC's high standards of customer service, security and integrity. Contrary to claims, Centrelink staff will not have unfettered access to AEC systems, they will not update the electoral roll, and nor will they be involved in vote counting.

3. CLAIM: That the 1997 redistribution 'unseated' Pauline Hanson.

FACT: The 1997 redistribution (or change to electoral boundaries) in Queensland was required by law due to a change in the entitlement for that State. The process was carried out strictly according to legal provisions and included the Queensland State Auditor General and General Manager Survey and Mapping, the Chairman of the AEC Mr Trevor Morling QC and the Australian Statistician. Political outcomes cannot be, and are not, considered by a Redistribution Committee.

4. CLAIM: That the AEC procrastinated in finalising the Australians for Honest Politics matter.

FACT: Like any legal matter which requires thorough consideration, this was a complex issue. Once the matter had been finalised, the AEC put its conclusion on the public record.

5. CLAIM: That the electoral roll is outsourced and this presents a security problem.

FACT: The maintenance of the Electoral Roll is not outsourced; it is kept by the AEC under strict security. Where the AEC (like any government agency) uses a contractor to assist in this function (eg printing rolls for polling places), strict contractual obligations apply, including severe penalties for misuse of enrolment information.

6. CLAIM: That there is a disturbing discrepancy in the number of votes cast at federal elections for the Senate and the House of Representatives.

FACT: There is a difference in eligibility to vote in House of Representatives and Senate elections. If there is a question about an elector's House of Representatives Division, their lower house vote may not be admitted to the count whilst their Senate vote can be included. This is fully accounted for in the AEC's published statistics.

7. CLAIM: There has not been a habitation review in Queensland since 1997.

FACT: In accordance with legislation, the AEC has been conducting regular roll reviews, including targeted habitation checks since that time. This has been much more effective at tracking address changes of a very mobile population than conducting a biennial door-knock.

8. CLAIM: That the AEC does not address concerns raised in the community about electoral matters.

FACT: The AEC welcomes information that will help it discharge its responsibilities under the Commonwealth Electoral Act and follows up any evidence put before it. The AEC has reaffirmed with Parliament that it follows up matters of concern in the public arena.

CONTACTS

Brien Hallett

02 6271 4477
0413 274 798

Phil Diak

02 6271 4415
0413 452 539