ELECTORAL (VOTING) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 26 May 2011.)

The Hon. S.G. WADE (17:28): I intend to speak very briefly on this bill. It is a bill put forward by the Hon. Mark Parnell with a range of, shall we say, stimulating suggestions. The opposition is aware of the select committee on electoral matters and the imminent tabling of the electoral commission's report into the 2010 election. It is our view that the council would be better placed to consider reforms to the Electoral Act with the commissioner's report in hand. There are already proposals by the government in relation to the Electoral Act reform which will need to be revisited as a result of the select committee on electoral matters. We do not believe that this bill should be supported, but rather that these matters should be considered when the Electoral Act is open at an appropriate time.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.M. Gazzola.