Electoral Commission, Dunstan By-Election

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:52): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing questions to the Attorney-General regarding the Electoral Commission and the Dunstan by-election.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mick Sherry, recently advised that ECSA sent failure to vote notices to 3½ thousand people following the recent Dunstan by-election; however, many were sent to incorrect addressees. My questions for the minister are:

1. Given the issues with electors being incorrectly sent letters for failing to vote in the by-election, what steps will be taken to improve the accuracy of voter mark-off systems to prevent future errors?

2. Will concerns be addressed by those who incorrectly received letters and what measures are in place to maintain trust in the electoral process?

3. Given that approximately 3½ thousand letters were sent, can the government provide a breakdown of how many cases were due to human error versus technical issues with the electronic roll mark-off devices?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for her question. After recent machinery of government changes, the member for Kavel, the Special Minister of State, has responsibility for the Electoral Act and the conduct of elections and the Electoral Commission; however, I will be more than happy to pass those questions on. I have noted I think before in an answer to an honourable member's previous question that there is I think traditionally a significantly lower turnout in by-elections than we see in general elections, which is why we have fewer people voting.