Proposed amendments to improve access to voting open for consultation

The Tasmanian Government is seeking feedback on the draft Justice and Related Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill (No. 3) 2024.

Released for public and stakeholder consultation today, the Bill seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2004 to improve access to voting for more Tasmanians.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Guy Barnett, said that these amendments seek to improve the function of important legislation.

“Following significant consultation with a broad range of stakeholders – the Tasmanian Government is now seeking further feedback on proposed amendments to a raft of legislation,” the Attorney-General said.

“The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2004 will allow the Tasmanian Electoral Commission to approve appropriate alternative voting procedures to facilitate voting by individuals who are unable to access traditional voting services.

“The proposed amendments are made in response to feedback from disability advocacy groups about the challenges experienced by voters with vision impairment or ‘print disability’ and also the lack of choice faced by voters with impairments in regional and remote areas.

“We are acting to make voting as accessible to these Tasmanians as possible, as is their right under our thriving democracy.

“Making considered and informed improvements to legislation is key to the success of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future and I encourage Tasmanians to engage.”

Minister for Disability Services, Jo Palmer, said the proposed changes signify the Government’s continued commitment to improving the lives of Tasmanians with disability.

“Voting is a fundamental right and making these legislative changes will ensure Tasmanians living with disability can participate in our democratic processes independently and secretively, under the same circumstances that are extended to every Tasmanian,” Minister Palmer said.

“Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard at every level of Government and I am looking forward to seeing this legislation progress.”

Other amendments include:

• Amendments to the Integrity Commission Act 2009 introduce a mandatory requirement for public authorities to notify the Integrity Commission of any matter or information that involves or may involve misconduct or serious misconduct by a designated public officer or serious misconduct by a public officer. These amendments fulfill recommendation 18.11 of the final report of the Commission of Inquiry.
• The amendment to the Evidence (Children and Special Witnesses) Act 2001 seeks to enable the authorisation of the playing, copying or erasing of an audio-visual recording of evidence to be given by a Judge, the Associate Judge or the Registrar.

For more information please visit: https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation