Statement of Reasons: Conservatives for Climate and Environment

Updated: 2 November 2012

Conservatives for Climate and Environment changes its name to 'Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia Incorporated' and its abbreviation to 'Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy'.

File reference: Reg3398, 07/1331

The delegate of the Australian Electoral Commission determined that the application by Conservatives for Climate and Environment Incorporated (CCE) to change its registered name and abbreviation under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, should be accepted and Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia Incorporated be entered in the Register of Political Parties.

Background

On 26 August 2009, the AEC received an application from Conservatives for Climate and Environment Incorporated (CCE) to change its registered name and abbreviation under the provisions of Part XI of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act). The new name sought was 'Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia Incorporated' (ENEA) and the new abbreviation was 'Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy'.

The AEC conducted a series of tests usually undertaken as part of the initial consideration of an application and on 26 August 2009, the delegate of the AEC approved the advertisement of the CCE application.

Relevant legal provisions

The legal provisions relevant for an application to change the Register of Political Parties are in s4 and Part XI of the Electoral Act. An extract of the relevant provisions is available which the reader should consult in order to understand the legal provisions being applied in the tests below.

Application of relevant legal provisions

Application

The application satisfies the requirements in s134 of the Electoral Act, in that it was in writing, signed by three members of the party, stated the applicants' capacities and their street addresses and included the prescribed $500 application fee. The application meets all the technical elements required for an application to change a registered party's name and abbreviation.

The application passes this test.

Party name

The name 'Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia Incorporated' and the abbreviation "Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy" do not appear to be names prohibited under s129(1) of the Electoral Act. They are not similar to any other registered or recognised names and do not breach any other provisions of the Electoral Act.

The application passes the names test.

Objections

The CCE application was advertised in the Commonwealth Gazette and newspapers circulating generally in each State and Territory on 2 September 2009 to permit interested persons or organisations to lodge an objection. One objection was received via email and the AEC acknowledged the email advising that objections needed to be signed as required by s132(3) of the Electoral Act. The objection was not re-submitted in the required form and accordingly was not considered.

Conclusion

The application by the CCE is approved and the changes made to the Register of Political Parties.

Sue Sayer
Director Funding and Disclosure
Delegate of the Australian Electoral Commission

14 October 2009