Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move opposition amendments (1) to (3) on sheet 6139, standing in my name:

(1)    Schedule 6, item 2, page 38 (lines 9 and 10), item TO BE OPPOSED.

(2)    Schedule 6, item 12, page 39 (lines 26 and 27), item TO BE OPPOSED.

(3)    Schedule 6, Part 2, page 42 (lines 1 to 7), Part TO BE OPPOSED.

We oppose those aspects of the postal vote application, which are the controversial aspects of this bill. There has been no evidence at all that the way the postal votes are currently dealt with in any way detracts from appropriate governance. In no way does it provide either the coalition or anyone else with an advantage through misuse of the Electoral Act. We are opposed to this, and I am pleased that the government has accepted our amendments.

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Ronaldson for his contribution. The government accepts these amendments, and I commend them to the committee.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that items 2 and 12 and part 2 of schedule 6 stand as printed.

Question negatived.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Bill reported with amendments; report adopted.