Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

tor FARRELL (—) (): Again, I thank Senator Green for her question and her interest in voter enrolment.

Since we took office, we have wasted no time on this issue. Last year I asked JSCEM to investigate increasing enfranchisement and electoral participation, and I look forward to working across the parliament on meaningful reform following its report. Last year the government allocated $16.1 million over two years to the Australian Electoral Commission to increase First Nations enrolment and participation in future electoral events as part of the referendum preparatory work. More recently, I approved regulatory changes making it easier for more Australians who are eligible to enrol to actually get on the roll. From 17 February, eligible Australians have been able to use their Medicare card and their Australian citizenship certificate numbers to enrol or update their enrolment. Early AEC— (Time expired)