Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian Greens support this bill. The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Contingency Measures) Bill 2021 will allow some flexibility for the conduct of elections impacted by emergencies such as bushfires or pandemics. Given the uncertainty regarding public health requirements and the increased likelihood of climate induced emergencies in the future, it is important to ensure that fair and democratic elections can still be held. We support the measures provided in this bill for that to happen.

These provisions to accommodate emergency situations would also support the introduction of fixed term elections. Fixed term elections remove the strategic advantage that incumbent governments get when the Prime Minister has discretion to call an election when they choose. Here we are, on the last sitting day of the year, and we are still not able to say with certainty that we will come back before an election. Without fixed terms, governments can call an election when public opinion is most favourable to them. They can ride out scandals—or at least try to. When the election date is known only to the government, they can strategically ramp up advertising on key issues ahead of the official public announcement of the election date. It's a strategic advantage that other parties, Independents and new candidates do not enjoy. Fixed-term elections help level the playing field for smaller parties, Independents and third parties with less capacity to plan, prepare and fund election campaigns.

With the changes set out in this bill, the benefits of fixed-term elections could be achieved while still providing flexibility in emergency situations. The Australian Greens support fixed-term elections and we'll continue to call for them. We support this bill.