Dunstan By-Election

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15:00): My question is to the Attorney-General, either in his own capacity as Attorney-General but also potentially representing the Special Minister of State regarding the Electoral Commission, because I suspect he knows the answer to this anyway. Given the low voter turnout in the Dunstan by-election is he aware whether the Electoral Commission is or isn't going to fine voters for not voting under clause 85 of the Electoral Act?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for her question. The Electoral Act is now committed to the new member who holds the title of Special Minister of State; however, I can say that I think it's not an unusual occurrence that at a by-election there is low voter turnout. From my memory, that is an entirely typical thing that occurs during a by-election, when there isn't the information and there isn't the amount of publicity that surrounds a general election.

In relation to any action that is taken against people that don't vote, that's not a decision for any minister—myself nor the Special Minister of State—but is a decision for the independent Electoral Commissioner.