ELECTORAL (OPTIONAL PREFERENTIAL VOTING) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (10:47): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Electoral Act 1985. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (10:48): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

This is also a reintroduction. This bill is about optional preferential voting. From time to time, many people have expressed concern that they felt forced to give a preference to someone they do not wish to. Under our system, basically, they are compelled to.

What this bill does is provide that the allocation of preferences is an optional matter. I believe that is very important. We currently have a legal challenge to the whole question of whether our voting, at the federal level anyway, is compulsory or voluntary, but we have within our system compulsion with regard to allocating preferences. I think this measure is worthy of support to allow people to decide whether or not they allocate a preference to someone. Many people do not wish to be forced to allocate a preference and this bill will give them the right not to do so.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.