Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

REFERENDUM (MACHINERY PROVISIONS) ACT 1984 - SECT 25

             (1)  Subject to this section, the ballot‑papers to be used in a referendum shall:

                     (a)  be in accordance with Form B in Schedule 1; and

                     (b)  have a buff background colour.

             (2)  Subject to subsection (3A), where 2 or more referendums are held on the same day, the ballot‑papers for each referendum shall be printed on one piece of paper and shall be in accordance with Form C in Schedule 1.

             (3)  Where 2 or more ballot‑papers are printed on one piece of paper as mentioned in subsection (2):

                     (a)  it is not necessary for the initials of an officer to appear more than once on the piece of paper;

                     (b)  the presence of any mark or writing on the piece of paper by which a voter can be identified invalidates all the ballot‑papers and all the votes on the piece of paper; and

                     (c)  a ground of informality (other than the ground referred to in paragraph (b)) applies only to the particular ballot‑paper and vote to which it relates, and does not affect the validity of any other ballot‑paper or vote.

          (3A)  If:

                     (a)  the Minister gives a written notice to the Electoral Commissioner that identifies 2 or more proposed laws; and

                     (b)  referendums are to be held on the same day (the referendum day ) in relation to 2 or more of the proposed laws identified in the notice; and

                     (c)  the notice under paragraph (a) is given to the Electoral Commissioner at least 28 days before the issue of the writs for those referendums;

then:

                     (d)  the ballot papers for each referendum held on the referendum day must be printed on separate pieces of paper; and

                     (e)  for each of those referendums, the ballot papers must be of a different colour, chosen by the Electoral Commissioner.

             (4)  The ballot‑papers to be used for postal voting shall have the words "Postal Ballot‑paper" or "Postal Ballot‑papers" as a heading and shall contain the following directions: "Fold the ballot‑paper, place it in the envelope on which the postal vote certificate is printed and fasten the envelope".

             (5)  Before issuing a ballot‑paper for use at a referendum, an officer shall, if the name of the State or Territory printed on the ballot‑paper is not the name of the State or Territory in which the referendum is to be held, strike out that name and insert the name of the State or Territory in which the referendum is to be held.

             (6)  Before issuing a ballot‑paper that is to be used for postal voting, a DRO or Assistant Returning Officer shall ensure that the words and directions required by subsection (4) are printed or written on the ballot‑paper.