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THE CONSTITUTION BILL AMENDMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1999

                    PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

  The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment)
                     Act 1999
                                     Act No.


                        TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause                                                                      Page

PART 1--PRELIMINARY                                                            1
  1.     Purposes                                                              1
  2.     Commencement                                                          2
  3.     Principal Act                                                         2

PART 2--AMENDMENTS TO THE PRINCIPAL ACT                                        3
  4.     Amendment to section 3                                                3
  5.     Repeal of sections 21 and 22                                          4
  6.     Repeal of Parts III, IIIA and IV and new Part III inserted            4
         PART III--ENROLMENT FOR ASSEMBLY AND
         COUNCIL                                                               5
         Division 1--Entitlement to enrolment                                  5
         50.        Entitlement to enrolment of electors for Assembly and
                    Council                                                    5
         51.        Eligible overseas electors                                 6
         52.        Itinerant electors                                        10
         53.        Entitlement of provisional electors                       11
         54.        Savings provision                                         12
         Division 2--The Electoral Registrar                                  12
         55.        Electoral registrar                                       12
         56.        Powers of delegation                                      12
         57.        Arrangement with Commonwealth                             13
         Division 3--The Rolls                                                13
         58.        Rolls for districts and provinces                         13
         59.        Printing of rolls                                         14
         60.        Inspection of rolls                                       14
         61.        Provision of rolls and habitation indexes                 14
         62.        Addition of names to rolls                                17
         63.        Provisional enrolment                                     18



                                         i
532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

Clause Page 64. Compulsory enrolment 18 65. Registration of claim 19 66. Request for address not to be shown on roll 21 67. Alteration of rolls 24 68. Information to be supplied to electoral registrar 25 69. Rolls in electronic format 27 70. Objections by whom and how made 27 71. Notice of objection 28 72. Answer to objection 29 73. Determination of objection 29 74. Appeal to Magistrates' Court 29 75. Power of Magistrates' Court to hear and determine appeals 30 76. Rolls for purposes of elections 31 77. Signature to electoral paper 31 78. Penalty for untrue statements 32 79. Penalties relating to the witnessing of electoral papers 32 80. Witness to be satisfied as to truth of statements 33 81. Failure to transmit claim 33 82. Forging or uttering electoral papers 33 83. Electoral matter to be sent by post or by facsimile 34 84. Limitation of time for recovery of penalties 34 85. Correction of errors 34 86. Regulations 35 7. Amendment of Electoral Commissioner's functions, powers and duties 35 8. Declaration by returning officers and postal voting officers 36 9. Amendment to section 148 36 10. Repeal of section 148K(2)(b)(iii) 36 11. De-registration of non-Parliamentary party 37 12. Amendment to section 155A 37 13. Repeal of section 156 37 14. Nomination of candidates 37 15. New Division 7 substituted 39 Division 7--Duties of Returning Officer and Electoral Commissioner where Number of Candidates Exceeds Number of Members to be Elected 39 163. Poll to be taken 39 16. New section 165A substituted 40 165A. Determination of order on ballot-papers 40 17. Amendment to section 166 40 18. Amendment to section 171 40 19. Amendment to section 172A 41 20. Amendment to questions put to voters 41 21. Amendment to section 185A 41 ii 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

Clause Page 22. Amendment to section 186 41 23. Amendment to sections 187, 230 and 234 41 24. Amendment to section 191 42 25. Amendment to section 193 42 26. Full preferential voting 42 27. Amendment to section 207 42 28. Amendment to section 208 42 29. Amendment to section 208A 42 30. New section 210 substituted 43 210. Declaration of election 43 31. Antarctic voting 44 32. Amendment to section 220 44 33. Amendment to section 221 45 34. Repeal of section 267G 47 35. Publicising exit poll results 47 267GA. Prohibition of publicly disseminating exit poll results during the hours of polling 47 36. New section 270 substituted 48 270. Electoral Commissioner to prepare list of non-voters 48 37. Addresses to which non-voters' notices should be sent 48 38. Amendment to section 271B 48 39. Amendment to section 272 49 40. Amendment to section 273 49 41. Amendment to section 306A 49 42. Repeal of section 308 49 43. Form of ballot paper 49 PART 3--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS 50 44. Constitution Act 1975 50 45. Senate Elections Act 1958 50 46. Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982 50 47. Geographic Place Names Act 1998 50 48. Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 51 49. Local Government Act 1989 51 50. Juries Act 1967 51 NOTES 52 iii 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA Initiated in Assembly 14 April 1999 As amended by Assembly 5 May 1999 A BILL to amend The Constitution Act Amendment Act 1958 and certain other Acts and for other purposes. The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows: PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1. Purposes The main purposes of this Act are-- (a) to make various amendments to The 5 Constitution Act Amendment Act 1958; 1 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 2 Act No. (b) to make minor amendments to the Constitution Act 1975 and the Senate Elections Act 1958; (c) to make various amendments of a statute law 5 revision nature. 2. Commencement This Act comes into operation on 8 June 1999. 3. Principal Act No. 6224. In this Act, The Constitution Act Amendment Reprint No. 7 10 Act 1958 is called the Principal Act. as at 22 October 1998. _______________ 2 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 4 Act No. PART 2--AMENDMENTS TO THE PRINCIPAL ACT 4. Amendment to section 3 (1) In section 3(1) of the Principal Act-- (a) in the definition of "declaration vote" 5 paragraph (c) is repealed; (b) after the definition of "electoral matter" insert-- ' "electoral paper" includes any electoral claim and any prescribed form; 10 "electoral registrar" means the electoral registrar for each district and each province;'; (c) in the definition of "eligible overseas elector" for "103(5) or (6)" substitute "51"; 15 (d) after the definition of "eligible overseas elector" insert-- ' "exit poll" means the canvassing of electors at large as to how they have voted at an election for the purpose of 20 obtaining and publicly disseminating information about voting trends at the election;'; (e) in the definition of "itinerant elector" for "103(7)" substitute "52"; 25 (f) after the definition of "itinerant elector" insert-- ' "officer" includes any person discharging the duties of any office under this Act; 3 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 5 Act No. "Order in Council" means an Order of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette;'; (g) in the definition of "provisional enrolment" 5 for "117A" substitute "63"; (h) omit the definition of "registrar"; (i) before the definition of "Schedule" insert-- ' "regulations" means regulations under this Act; 10 "roll" means roll of electors for the Council or Assembly;'; (j) omit the definition of "subdivision". (2) After section 3(4) of the Principal Act insert-- '(5) In this Act, "address", "address of 15 residence", "residence" or "resides" or any similar expression is to be construed as referring to "place of living" or "lives" or any similar expression occurring in any rolls, forms or regulations relating to the 20 preparation, alteration and revision of such rolls.'. 5. Repeal of sections 21 and 22 Sections 21 and 22 of the Principal Act are repealed. 25 6. Repeal of Parts III, IIIA and IV and new Part III inserted For Parts III, IIIA and IV of the Principal Act substitute-- 4 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. 'PART III--ENROLMENT FOR ASSEMBLY AND COUNCIL Division 1--Entitlement to enrolment 50. Entitlement to enrolment of electors for 5 Assembly and Council (1) A person who is qualified to enrol as an elector for the Assembly and Council and has resided at an address in a district for at least one month immediately preceding the 10 date of the person's claim for enrolment as an elector is entitled in respect of residence at that address in that district-- (a) to enrol as an elector for the Assembly and Council on the roll for that district 15 and corresponding province; and (b) when enrolled and so long as the person continues to reside at that address in that district to vote at an election for the district or the corresponding province. 20 (2) An elector who has changed residence to another address within the same district is not deemed by reason only of the change of residence to be dispossessed of the qualification in respect of which the elector 25 is enrolled. (3) A woman is not by reason only that her surname has been changed by marriage disqualified from voting under the name appearing on the roll. 30 (4) A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment or detention imposed by a court upon a conviction for an offence is deemed to reside at the address at which he 5 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. or she resided at the time of his or her conviction. 51. Eligible overseas electors (1) An elector-- 5 (a) whose name appears on the roll for a district; and (b) who intends to cease to reside in Australia and then, not later than 6 years after the day on which the 10 elector so ceases, to resume residing in Australia at the address in respect of which the elector is enrolled or elsewhere; and (c) whose name appears on the electoral 15 roll maintained under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 for a Commonwealth subdivision and that roll is annotated to indicate that the elector is an eligible overseas elector 20 under section 94 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918-- is entitled, whilst the elector's name continues to be included and annotated on the Commonwealth roll referred to in 25 paragraph (c) to-- (d) have the elector's name retained on the roll for the district and province corresponding with the Commonwealth subdivision referred to in paragraph (c) 30 with an annotation to indicate that the elector is an eligible overseas elector; and (e) vote as an elector for that district and corresponding province. 35 (2) A person-- 6 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (a) who is the spouse or child of an elector who is an eligible overseas elector by virtue of sub-section (1) in relation to a district; and 5 (b) who is living at a place outside Australia so as to be with or near the eligible overseas elector; and (c) who had not attained the age of 18 years when the person last ceased to 10 reside in Australia; and (d) whose name is not, and has not been, on a roll of electors for the Assembly and Council; and (e) who is not entitled to be enrolled under 15 section 50(1) but would be so entitled if the person resided in a district; and (f) who intends to resume residing in Australia not later than 6 years after the day on which the person attained 18 20 years of age; and (g) whose name has been added to an electoral roll maintained under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 for a Commonwealth subdivision and that 25 roll is annotated to indicate that the elector is an eligible overseas elector under section 95 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918-- is to be enrolled for the district and province 30 corresponding with the Commonwealth subdivision referred to in paragraph (g) for which the eligible overseas elector is enrolled with an annotation to indicate that the person is an eligible overseas elector. 7 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (3) Whilst the person's name continues to be included and annotated on the Commonwealth roll referred to in sub- section (2)(g), the person is entitled to-- 5 (a) have the person's name retained on the roll for the district and corresponding province; and (b) vote as an elector for that district and corresponding province. 10 (4) A person may apply to the electoral registrar for enrolment as an elector for the Assembly and Council for a district and corresponding province if, at the time of making the application-- 15 (a) the person has ceased to reside in Australia for reasons relating to the person's career or employment or for reasons relating to the career or employment of the person's spouse; and 20 (b) the person is not enrolled; and (c) the person is not qualified for enrolment, but would be so qualified if he or she resided at an address in a district and had done so for at least a 25 month; and (d) the person intends to resume residing in Australia not later than 6 years after he or she ceased to reside in Australia. (5) The application must be-- 30 (a) in writing; and (b) made within 2 years of the day on which the person ceased to reside in Australia. 8 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (6) If the electoral registrar grants the application, the electoral registrar must cause the person's name to be added to the roll-- (a) for the district and corresponding 5 province for which the person last had an entitlement to be enrolled; or (b) if the person has never had such an entitlement, for a district and corresponding province for which any 10 of the person's next of kin is enrolled; or (c) if neither paragraph (a) nor (b) applies, for the district and corresponding province in which the person was born; 15 or (d) if none of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) applies, the district and corresponding province with which the person has closest connection. 20 (7) If-- (a) the application was received by the electoral registrar after 6 p.m. on the day of the close of the rolls of an election to be held in a district or 25 province; and (b) the application relates to that district and corresponding province-- the person's name must not be added to the roll for the district and corresponding 30 province until after the close of the poll for that election. (8) The electoral registrar must notify the person in writing-- 9 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (a) of a decision to grant or refuse the application; or (b) of the electoral registrar's opinion that the application cannot be proceeded 5 with because of sub-section (7). (9) If the application is granted, the elector is entitled to vote at an election for the district or corresponding province for which the elector is enrolled under sub-section (6) 10 while the elector continues to be so enrolled. (10) In this section-- "child" includes an ex-nuptial child; "spouse", in relation to a person (in this interpretation referred to as the relevant 15 person) includes a person who, although not legally married to the relevant person, lives with the relevant person as the spouse of the relevant person on a permanent and bona fide 20 domestic basis. 52. Itinerant electors (1) A person-- (a) who is in Australia but does not reside in any district; and 25 (b) who is not entitled to have the person's name placed or retained on the roll for any district by reason only that the person does not reside at any address in any district; and 30 (c) whose name has been added to an electoral roll maintained under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 for the Commonwealth subdivision with which the person has established a 10 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. connection under section 96 of that Act and the roll maintained under that Act is annotated to indicate that the elector is an itinerant elector under section 96 5 of that Act-- is entitled to have the person's name added to the roll for the district and province corresponding with the Commonwealth subdivision referred to in paragraph (c) with 10 which the person has the connection with an annotation to indicate that the elector is an itinerant elector. (2) Whilst the person's name continues to be included and annotated on the 15 Commonwealth roll referred to in sub- section (1)(c), the person is entitled to-- (a) have the person's name retained on the roll for that district and corresponding province; and 20 (b) vote as an elector for that district and province. 53. Entitlement of provisional electors (1) An elector-- (a) whose name has been placed on the roll 25 in pursuance of a claim under section 63; and (b) who has not attained 18 years of age on the date fixed for the polling in an election-- 30 is not entitled to vote at that election. (2) Notwithstanding section 63 or any enrolment made in pursuance of a claim made under that section, for the purposes of an election under this Act, a person who has not attained 11 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. 18 years of age on the date fixed for polling in that election is not to be-- (a) entitled to be enrolled on a roll; or (b) enrolled on a roll. 5 54. Savings provision Any person who is entitled to be enrolled as an elector in respect of residence in a subdivision under section 103 of the Act as in force immediately before the 10 commencement of section 6 of The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999, continues to be entitled to be enrolled in respect of the relevant district and corresponding province. 15 Division 2--The Electoral Registrar 55. Electoral registrar The Electoral Commissioner is the electoral registrar for each district and province. 56. Powers of delegation 20 The electoral registrar, by instrument, may delegate any of the electoral registrar's functions or powers under this Act, other than this power of delegation, to-- (a) any returning officer; 25 (b) any person or class of person employed under Part 3 of the Public Sector Management and Employment Act 1998 in the administration of this Act; (c) any holder of an office in the public 30 service of the Commonwealth only after and in accordance with an 12 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. agreement between the Governor in Council and the Governor-General. 57. Arrangement with Commonwealth 5 (1) The Governor in Council may arrange with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth for-- (a) a joint enrolment process; and (b) the exchange of information necessary 10 for the preparation, maintenance and revision of the rolls-- under this Act and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. (2) Any arrangement made and in force under 15 section 105 of the Act before the commencement of section 6 of The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999, continues to have effect until a new arrangement is made under 20 this section. Division 3--The Rolls 58. Rolls for districts and provinces (1) There shall be a roll for each district and each province. 25 (2) The rolls-- (a) subject to sub-section (3) and section 66, must set out the name and address of residence of each elector; and (b) must contain such further particulars as 30 are prescribed; and (c) must be arranged in alphabetical order. 13 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (3) If the elector is an eligible overseas elector or an itinerant elector, the roll must not set out the address of the residence of the elector. 5 59. Printing of rolls A roll must be printed whenever the Electoral Commissioner so directs. 60. Inspection of rolls The Electoral Commissioner must ensure 10 that copies of the latest print of the roll for any district or province are-- (a) open for public inspection without fee at the office of the Electoral Commissioner during office hours and 15 at such other places as are prescribed; and (b) on payment of the price fixed by the Electoral Commissioner obtainable at such places as the Electoral 20 Commissioner appoints. 61. Provision of rolls and habitation indexes (1) The Electoral Commissioner must cause to be provided, without charge, within 2 years of the polling day of the last simultaneous 25 election-- (a) to each registered political party--a set of up-to-date rolls for Victoria; and (b) to each member of the Assembly--one up-to-date roll and particulars of dates 30 of birth and salutations of electors on that roll for the district for which the member was elected; and (c) to each member of the Council--one up-to-date roll and particulars of dates 14 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. of birth and salutations of electors on that roll for the province for which the member was elected; and (d) in the case of a member of the Council 5 continuing to represent an old province after the preparation of new rolls for new provinces following a redivision under the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982--upon request, 10 one up-to-date roll and particulars of dates of birth and salutations of electors on that roll for the old province for which the member was elected or one up-to-date roll and particulars of dates 15 of birth and salutations of electors on that roll for the new province which, in the opinion of the Electoral Commissioner, most resembles the old province which the member represents 20 or both; and (e) to any other persons or organizations (if any) as the Electoral Commissioner determines to be appropriate--such up- to-date rolls as the Electoral 25 Commissioner considers appropriate. (2) When providing rolls under sub-sections (1) and (7) or additions and deletions under sub- section (6) the Electoral Commissioner may provide the rolls or additions and deletions in 30 a printed form or, if so requested, in an electronic form or both a printed form and an electronic form. (3) The Electoral Commissioner must not provide particulars of dates of birth and 35 salutations of persons whose addresses are not shown on the roll by virtue of section 66. 15 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (4) The Electoral Commissioner must, so far as it is practicable to do so, cause to be provided to each registered political party, without charge, during each Assembly, a 5 habitation index for each district, being a list of electors for that district arranged, in a manner determined by the Electoral Commissioner, by reference to the respective addresses of residence of the electors whose 10 names are entered on the roll for that district. (5) The Electoral Commissioner must not include on a habitation index for a district provided under sub-section (4) the names and addresses of persons whose addresses 15 are not shown on the roll for that district by virtue of section 66. (6) The Electoral Commissioner must, so far as it is practicable to do so, cause to be provided to those members of the Assembly 20 and Council who so request, at least 6 times each year, additions and deletions to the roll and particulars of dates of birth and salutations for electors on that roll for each member's respective electorate, but the 25 Electoral Commissioner must not include in any additions and in any particulars the names, addresses, dates of birth and salutations of persons whose addresses are not shown on the roll by virtue of section 66. 30 (7) The Electoral Commissioner must cause to be provided, to each registered political party, without charge, as soon as practicable after a redivision under the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982, a set of 35 up-to-date rolls for Victoria as is required to be prepared by section 17 of that Act. 16 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (8) The Electoral Commissioner must, upon the request of any candidate for election for a district or province, cause to be provided without charge to the candidate a copy of the 5 roll for that district or province in a printed form or, if so requested, in an electronic form or both a printed form and an electronic form. 62. Addition of names to rolls 10 (1) Names may be added to rolls pursuant to claims for enrolment or transfer of enrolment or claims for provisional enrolment. (2) A claim must-- (a) be in the prescribed form; and 15 (b) subject to sub-section (3), be signed by the claimant; and (c) be attested by an elector or person entitled to have the person's name placed on a roll, who must sign the 20 claim as witness in the witness's own handwriting. (3) If a person wishes to make a claim for enrolment, for transfer of enrolment or for provisional enrolment and a registered 25 medical practitioner has certified, in writing, that the person is so physically incapacitated that the person cannot sign the claim, another person may, on behalf of the person, fill out and sign the claim in accordance with the 30 directions of the first-mentioned person. (4) A claim must be completed in accordance with the directions prescribed in the form. (5) A certificate referred to in sub-section (3) must be lodged with the claim to which it 35 relates. 17 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. 63. Provisional enrolment (1) A person who has attained 17 years of age and who, if the person had attained 18 years 5 of age, would be entitled to have the person's name placed on a roll for a district and corresponding province may send or deliver to the electoral registrar a claim to have the person's name placed on the roll for that 10 district and corresponding province. (2) A claim made under sub-section (1) must be treated as a claim for enrolment for the district and corresponding province to which the claim relates and sections 65 and 66 15 apply in relation to the claim as if the person making the claim had attained 18 years of age and the claim were made under section 64. 64. Compulsory enrolment 20 (1) A person who is entitled to have his or her name placed on the roll for any district and corresponding province otherwise than by virtue of section 51, 52 or 63 (whether by way of enrolment or transfer of enrolment) 25 and whose name is not on the roll must forthwith fill in and sign a claim in the prescribed form, and send or deliver the claim to the electoral registrar. (2) A person who is entitled to have his or her 30 name placed on the roll for any district and corresponding province otherwise than by virtue of section 51, 52 or 63 (whether by way of enrolment or transfer of enrolment) and whose name is not on the roll upon the 35 expiration of 21 days from the date upon which the person became so entitled or at 18 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. any subsequent date while the person continues to be so entitled is guilty of an offence unless the person proves that his or her non-enrolment is not in consequence of 5 his or her failure to send or deliver to the electoral registrar a claim in the prescribed form duly filled in and signed in accordance with the directions printed thereon. (3) If a person (including a person whose 10 address in pursuance of a request under section 66 is not entered on a roll) changes residence from one address in a district and corresponding province for which the person is enrolled to another address in that district 15 and corresponding province, the person must, within 21 days after the date of making the change, give notice in writing of the new address to the electoral registrar. (4) A person who is guilty of an offence against 20 sub-section (1) or (2) is liable to a penalty of not more than $50. (5) If a person sends or delivers a claim for enrolment, or for transfer of enrolment, to the electoral registrar, proceedings must not 25 be instituted against that person for any offence against sub-section (1) or (2) committed before the sending or delivery of that claim. 65. Registration of claim 30 (1) Subject to sub-section (3), if, under section 64 the electoral registrar receives a claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment for a district and corresponding province, the electoral registrar must-- 35 (a) note on the claim the date of its receipt by the electoral registrar; and 19 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (b) if the claim is in order and the electoral registrar is satisfied that the claimant is entitled to be enrolled for the district and corresponding province-- 5 (i) enter on the roll for the district and corresponding province the name of the claimant and particulars relating to the claimant; and 10 (ii) notify the claimant in writing of the claimant's enrolment for that district and corresponding province; and (iii) in the case of a claim for transfer 15 of an enrolment from the roll for another district and corresponding province, delete the name of and particulars relating to, the claimant from the roll for the last- 20 mentioned district and province; and (iv) in the case where the name of the claimant is entered on the roll for the district and corresponding 25 province for which the claimant is entitled to be enrolled, notify the claimant in writing that, in the electoral registrar's opinion, the claimant's existing enrolment is 30 correct; and (c) if the claim is not in order or the electoral registrar is not satisfied that the claimant is entitled to be enrolled in a district and corresponding province, 35 notify the claimant in writing that the claim has been rejected. 20 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (2) Notice of a decision given to a claimant by the electoral registrar under sub-section (1)(c) must include-- (a) a statement of the reasons for the 5 decision; and (b) a statement advising the claimant that the claimant is entitled at any time within one month after the receipt of the notice to appeal to the Magistrates' 10 Court for an order directing that the claimant's name be added to the roll. (3) A claim under section 64 by a person to have the person's name placed on the roll for a district and corresponding province received 15 during the period commencing at 6 p.m. of the day on which the rolls for an election to be held in the district or province close and ending on the close of polling at the election must not be considered until after the 20 expiration of that period. (4) A name may, at any time, be removed from a roll pursuant to a notice of transfer of enrolment. 66. Request for address not to be shown on roll 25 (1) If a person considers that having the person's address shown on the roll for the district and corresponding province for which the person is claiming enrolment would place the personal safety of the person or of members 30 of the person's family at risk, the person may lodge with the claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment a request, in the prescribed form, that the person's address not be entered on the roll. 21 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (2) If-- (a) the address of a person is included in the particulars relating to the person that are entered on the roll for a district 5 and corresponding province; and (b) the person considers that having the address so shown places the personal safety of the person or of members of the person's family at risk-- 10 the person may lodge with the electoral registrar a request, in the prescribed form, that the person's address be deleted from the particulars relating to the person that are entered on that roll. 15 (3) A request under sub-section (1) or (2) must-- (a) give particulars of the relevant risk; and (b) be verified by statutory declaration by the person making the request or some 20 other person. (4) If-- (a) a request has been made under sub- section (1) or (2); and (b) the electoral registrar is satisfied that 25 having the address of the person making the request shown on the roll for the district and corresponding province would place or places the personal safety of the person or 30 members of the person's family at risk-- the electoral registrar-- (c) in a case where the request was lodged under sub-section (1)--must not 22 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. include the address of the person in the particulars relating to the person that are entered on the roll for the district and corresponding province; and 5 (d) in a case where the request is lodged under sub-section (2)--must delete the address of the person from the particulars relating to the person that are entered on the roll for the district 10 and corresponding province. (5) The electoral registrar must notify the person in writing of a decision to grant or refuse a request made by a person under sub-section (1) or (2). 15 (6) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 67, where an address is deleted from a roll under sub-section (4), the address so deleted must be obliterated. (7) The electoral registrar may conduct a review 20 of the roll for a district and corresponding province in relation to electors whose addresses are not shown on the roll by virtue of this section. (8) Upon completion of the review, the electoral 25 registrar must make such alterations to the roll as the electoral registrar thinks necessary to ensure that the only electors whose addresses are not shown on the roll by virtue of this section are electors the personal 30 safety of whom or of whose family, the electoral registrar is satisfied, would be at risk if their address were shown on the roll. 23 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. 67. Alteration of rolls (1) In addition to other powers of alteration conferred by this Act, the electoral registrar may alter any roll by-- 5 (a) correcting any mistake or omission in the particulars of an elector's enrolment; (b) altering the particulars of an elector's enrolment to record any change 10 resulting from-- (i) the numbering or re-numbering of a street or locality; or (ii) the naming or re-naming of a street or locality; or 15 (iii) any other like circumstance; (c) altering on the written application of an elector the original name or address of the elector on the roll; (d) removing the name of any deceased 20 elector; (e) reinstating any name removed by mistake as the name of a deceased elector; (f) striking out the superfluous entry where 25 the name of the same elector appears more than once on the same roll; (g) if the electoral registrar is satisfied that an objection against an enrolment of an elector whose name has been deleted 30 from the roll as the result of the objection was based on a mistake of fact and that the person objected to still retains and has continuously retained a right to the enrolment in respect of 24 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. which the objection was made-- reinstating the name of the elector; (h) reinstating any other name removed by mistake or which has been accidentally 5 omitted; (i) removing the name of any elector who has become enrolled on the electoral roll for another Australian State or Territory upon receipt of written 10 notification of such enrolment from the registrar responsible for the maintenance of that electoral roll. (2) Any alteration of a roll must be made in such a manner that the original entry is not 15 obliterated. (3) The reason for each alteration of the roll and the date the alteration is made must be set against the alteration. 68. Information to be supplied to electoral 20 registrar (1) The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages must within 3 days after the end of each month forward to the electoral registrar a list setting out the name, 25 occupation, age and the last-known place of residence at the date of the death of every person of the age of 17 years or upwards whose death was registered by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages during the 30 month. (2) The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages must within 3 days after the end of each month forward to the electoral registrar a list of changes of names of 35 persons under Part 4 of the Births, Deaths 25 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. and Marriages Registration Act 1996 during the preceding month showing-- (a) the previous recorded or registered name of that person; and 5 (b) the name under which that person is registered in the register of changes of name; and (c) the address of that person. (3) The Secretary to the Department of Justice 10 must as soon as practicable after the beginning of each month forward to the electoral registrar a list of the names, addresses and occupations and sexes of all persons who during the preceding month 15 have been convicted in the State and are under sentence for any offence punishable by imprisonment for 5 years or longer. (4) The electoral registrar may, by notice, require-- 20 (a) a person employed under Part 3 of the Public Sector Management and Employment Act 1998; or (b) a Chief Executive Officer appointed by a Council under section 94 of the Local 25 Government Act 1989; or (c) a member of the police force; or (d) an elector or a person qualified to be an elector-- to provide the information requested in the 30 notice, being information that in the opinion of the electoral registrar is required in connection with the preparation, maintenance or revision of the rolls. 26 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (5) A person who is requested by notice under sub-section (4) to provide information must provide that information within 21 days of the date specified in the notice. 5 (6) The electoral registrar must upon receipt of information under this section take action under this Part to effect such alterations of the rolls as are necessary. 69. Rolls in electronic format 10 Where the electoral registrar is required or permitted under this Act or the regulations to-- (a) annotate the roll; or (b) vary or remove particulars from the 15 roll; or (c) enter particulars on the roll-- in written form, the electoral registrar may do so with respect to the roll in an electronic form. 20 70. Objections by whom and how made (1) Any name on a roll may be objected to by-- (a) the electoral registrar; or (b) an elector. (2) An objection under sub-section (1)(b) must 25 be-- (a) in writing and in the prescribed form; and (b) signed by the person making the objection; and 27 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (c) accompanied by a deposit of $2 paid in cash or by cheque; and (d) lodged with the electoral registrar. (3) If the electoral registrar is of the opinion that 5 an objection under sub-section (1)(b) was made without a reasonable belief by the person making the objection that grounds for the objection existed, the deposit is forfeited to the Crown and paid into the Consolidated 10 Fund. (4) If the electoral registrar has reason to believe that a name should not be retained on the roll, he or she must make an objection under sub-section (1)(a) and must set out the 15 grounds of that objection. 71. Notice of objection (1) When an objection is made by or lodged with the electoral registrar, he or she must forthwith give notice of the objection to the 20 person objected to. (2) Notice under sub-section (1) must be in the prescribed form and may be given to the person objected to by being posted to-- (a) in a case where the person objected to 25 has notified, in writing, the electoral registrar of an address to which notices may be sent--the address so notified; or (b) in a case where paragraph (a) does not 30 apply to the person objected to and the address of residence of the person objected to is known to the electoral registrar--the address of residence of the person objected to; or 28 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (c) in any other case--the address of residence of the person objected to as appearing on the roll. (3) An objection on the ground that a person 5 does not reside at the address for which he or she is enrolled is not a good ground of objection unless it alleges that the person objected to does not reside at the address and has not so resided for at least one month last 10 past. 72. Answer to objection The person objected to may orally or in writing in the manner specified in the notice of objection answer the objection. 15 73. Determination of objection (1) The electoral registrar must determine the objection-- (a) forthwith on receipt of the answer of the person objected to; or 20 (b) if no answer is received within a period of 20 days after the posting of the notice, then after the expiration of that period. (2) If it appears to the electoral registrar that the 25 person objected to is not entitled to be enrolled at the address in respect of which the objection has been made, the electoral registrar must remove the name accordingly. 74. Appeal to Magistrates' Court 30 (1) Any person-- (a) who has sent or delivered to the electoral registrar a claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment and who has not been enrolled; or 29 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (b) whose name has been removed from a roll by the electoral registrar after an objection-- may at any time within one month after the 5 receipt of the notice of the rejection of the claim or of notice of the determination of the objection (as the case may be) make application to the Magistrates' Court for an order directing that his or her name be 10 enrolled or reinstated on the roll (as the case requires). (2) If an objection has been determined by the electoral registrar adversely to the person objecting, that person (not being an officer) 15 may apply to the Magistrates' Court for an order sustaining the objection. (3) If the application has reference to the decision of the electoral registrar upon an objection, the applicant must serve the 20 objector or the person objected to (as the case may be) with notice of the application. (4) A person served under sub-section (3) may appear or may in writing authorize any person to appear on his or her behalf to resist 25 the application. 75. Power of Magistrates' Court to hear and determine appeals (1) The Magistrates' Court may hear and determine any appeal or application under 30 this Part. (2) The Magistrates' Court may make such order as it thinks fit as to costs. (3) Costs under this section may be recovered in the same manner as costs awarded in any 35 other proceedings in the Magistrates' Court. 30 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (4) A registrar of the Magistrates' Court must send by post to the electoral registrar a certified copy of the order of the Magistrates' Court. 5 (5) The electoral registrar must make such entries (if any) upon the roll as are necessary to give effect to the order of the Magistrates' Court. 76. Rolls for purposes of elections 10 The Electoral Commissioner, as soon as possible after the close of the rolls and before the day of nomination for any election, must certify and deliver the roll for the district or province to the returning 15 officer for that district or province. 77. Signature to electoral paper (1) An electoral paper which by this Part or the regulations is required to be signed by any person must be signed by that person with 20 his or her personal signature. (2) If a person who is unable to sign the person's name in writing makes his or her mark as his or her personal signature to an electoral paper, the mark is deemed to be his or her 25 personal signature if it is identifiable as such and is made in the presence of a witness who signs the electoral paper as such witness. (3) Nothing in this section authorizes any person to sign any electoral paper by a mark or 30 otherwise than in the person's own handwriting in any case where this Act or the regulations require him or her to sign the electoral paper in his or her own handwriting. 31 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (4) A person must not make the signature of any other person on an electoral paper. (5) A person who is guilty of any contravention of this section is liable to a penalty of not 5 more than $1000. (6) Nothing in this section affects the liability of any person to be proceeded against for forgery, but so that he or she is not liable to be punished more than once in respect of the 10 same offence. 78. Penalty for untrue statements (1) A person who knowingly makes any untrue statement in any electoral paper or in any information given to any officer for the 15 purposes of the preparation, maintenance or revision of rolls is liable to a penalty of not more than $1000. (2) Nothing in this section affects the liability of any person to be proceeded against for any 20 other offence, whether against this Act or otherwise, but so that he or she is not liable to be punished more than once in respect of the same offence. 79. Penalties relating to the witnessing of 25 electoral papers A person who-- (a) signs his or her name as witness on any blank electoral paper; or (b) signs his or her name as witness on any 30 electoral paper which has been wholly or partly filled up unless it has been signed by the person intended to sign it; or 32 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. (c) signs his or her name as witness on any electoral paper unless he or she has seen the person whose signature he or she purports to witness sign it; or 5 (d) writes on any electoral paper as his or her own name the name of another person or any name not being his or her own name-- is liable to a penalty of not more than $1000. 10 80. Witness to be satisfied as to truth of statements A person who witnesses any claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment who does not before he or she affixes his or her 15 signature thereto satisfy himself or herself (by inquiry from the claimant or otherwise) that the statements contained in the claim are true is liable to a penalty of not more than $1000. 20 81. Failure to transmit claim A person who accepts the custody of a claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment for transmission on behalf of any other person to the electoral registrar and does not transmit 25 the claim forthwith to the electoral registrar is liable to a penalty of not more than $1000. 82. Forging or uttering electoral papers A person who-- (a) forges any electoral paper; or 30 (b) utters any forged electoral paper knowing the same to be forged-- 33 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 6 Act No. is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to a penalty of $1000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than 2 years. 83. Electoral matter to be sent by post or by 5 facsimile (1) All electoral papers provided for by this Part or the regulations may be sent through the post or transmitted by facsimile machine. (2) If a person transmits by facsimile machine an 10 electoral paper required by this Part or the regulations, the signature of the person on the electoral paper so transmitted is deemed to be the personal signature of that person. 84. Limitation of time for recovery of penalties 15 A person is not liable to any penalty, forfeiture or punishment imposed by this Part or the regulations unless the prosecution for the offence is commenced against the person within 12 months next after the 20 offence has been committed. 85. Correction of errors (1) If any accidental or unavoidable impediment, misfeasance or omission has happened in the preparation or transmission or printing of 25 any roll under this Part, the Governor in Council may by Order-- (a) take all such measures as may be necessary for removing such impediment or rectifying such 30 misfeasance or omission; or (b) declare any such roll valid as to and notwithstanding such impediment, misfeasance or omission. (2) The Order in Council must-- 34 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 7 Act No. (a) state specifically the nature of the impediment, misfeasance or omission; and (b) be forthwith published in the 5 Government Gazette. 86. Regulations The Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Electoral Commissioner may make regulations-- 10 (a) prescribing any forms required to be prescribed under this Part; (b) prescribing any matters by this Part required or authorized to be prescribed; and 15 (c) generally for carrying this Part into effect.'. 7. Amendment of Electoral Commissioner's functions, powers and duties After section 144D(1)(e) of the Principal Act 20 insert-- "(f) the power to conduct an election under the Local Government Act 1989 if appointed to do so by a Council under clause 1(2)(c) of Schedule 2 of that Act; 25 (g) the power to-- (i) promote public awareness of electoral matters that are in the general public interest by means of the conduct of education and information programs; 30 and (ii) conduct and promote research into electoral matters that are in the general public interest; 35 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 8 10 Act No. (h) the duty to undertake an activity referred to in paragraph (g) upon receiving a reference from the Minister to do so.". 8. Declaration by returning officers and postal voting 5 officers (1) In section 147 of the Principal Act for "a magistrate" substitute "a person who may witness the signing of a statutory declaration under any law of the Commonwealth or any State or 10 Territory". (2) In section 147C of the Principal Act for "a magistrate or notary public" substitute "a person who may witness the signing of a statutory declaration under any law of the Commonwealth 15 or any State or Territory". 9. Amendment to section 148 (1) For section 148(1) of the Principal Act substitute-- "(1) The Electoral Commissioner may, by notice 20 published in the Government Gazette-- (a) appoint, by name, as many polling places for each district and province as the Electoral Commissioner considers necessary; and 25 (b) declare polling places appointed under paragraph (a) in respect of a district or province to be polling places for another district or province.". (2) In section 148(3) of the Principal Act-- 30 (a) omit "the subdivision of"; (b) for "in the subdivision" substitute "in the province or district". 10. Repeal of section 148K(2)(b)(iii) 36 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 14 Act No. Section 148K(2)(b)(iii) of the Principal Act is repealed. 11. De-registration of non-Parliamentary party In section 148P(1)(b) of the Principal Act for "the 5 period of 5 years since the polling day of the last election for which the political party endorsed at least one candidate" substitute "the last 5 years". 12. Amendment to section 155A After section 155A(1)(d) of the Principal Act 10 insert-- "; and (e) advertise in not less than 2 newspapers circulating generally in Victoria the day of nomination and the day of polling 15 respectively mentioned in the writ and also the place for the province or district or each province or each district to be appointed by the returning officer or each returning officer (as the case requires) for receiving 20 nomination papers and payments.". 13. Repeal of section 156 Section 156 of the Principal Act is repealed. 14. Nomination of candidates (1) For section 159(1) of the Principal Act 25 substitute-- "(1) A person may become a candidate at any election for the Council or the Assembly by nomination in the following manner-- 37 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. (a) subject to paragraph (b), after the issue of the writ and before noon on the day of nomination there must be delivered to the returning officer a nomination 5 form in the appropriate prescribed form which-- (i) specifies the name, address of residence and occupation of the candidate; and 10 (ii) is signed by not less than 6 persons entitled to vote at the election for which the candidate is nominated or by the registered officer of the registered political 15 party by which the candidate has been endorsed for that election; (b) if the candidate is nominated by the registered officer of a registered political party, the nominated form 20 referred to in paragraph (a) must be delivered to-- (i) the returning officer after the issue of the writ and before noon on the day of nomination; or 25 (ii) the Electoral Commissioner after the issue of the writ and before noon of the day before the day of nomination; (c) there must be delivered with the 30 nomination form the sum of $350 in respect of a candidate for election to the Assembly or the sum of $700 in respect of a candidate for election to the Council, paid-- 35 (i) in cash; or 38 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 15 Act No. (ii) by bank cheque; or (iii) by a cheque drawn by a non-bank financial institution on itself.". (2) For section 159(3) of the Principal Act 5 substitute-- "(3) A person shall not consent to being nominated as a candidate for an election to be held on the same day for-- (a) the Council and the Assembly; 10 (b) the Council in respect of more than one province; (c) the Assembly in respect of more than one district.". 15. New Division 7 substituted 15 In Part V of the Principal Act for Division 7 substitute-- "Division 7--Duties of Returning Officer and Electoral Commissioner where Number of Candidates Exceeds Number of Members to be 20 Elected 163. Poll to be taken (1) If the number of persons who have become candidates at any election exceeds the number of members to be elected, then for 25 deciding between such candidates a poll shall take place on the day named in the writ for that purpose and at the several polling places for the province or district. (2) The returning officer must immediately after 30 noon on the day and at the place named for the delivery of the nomination papers publicly announce that a poll will be so taken 39 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 16 18 Act No. and the names of the persons who have become candidates. (3) The returning officer must advise the Electoral Commissioner of the names of the 5 persons who have become candidates. (4) The Electoral Commissioner must publish in not less than 2 newspapers circulating generally in Victoria the names of the candidates for the province or district as the 10 case may be.". 16. New section 165A substituted For section 165A of the Principal Act substitute-- "165A. Determination of order on ballot-papers 15 To determine the order of names of candidates on ballot-papers to be used in an election, the returning officer must, in a manner determined by the Electoral Commissioner, draw the names of the 20 candidates by lot, either manually or by computer.". 17. Amendment to section 166 In sections 166(4) and 166(5) of the Principal Act for "Liquor Control Act 1987" substitute 25 "Liquor Control Reform Act 1998". 18. Amendment to section 171 In section 171 of the Principal Act for "electoral registrar, or any person authorised to witness 30 declarations under the Evidence Act 1958" substitute "the electoral registrar or a person who may witness the signing of a statutory declaration under any law of the Commonwealth or any State or Territory". 40 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 23 Act No. 19. Amendment to section 172A In section 172A of the Principal Act for "117A" substitute "63". 20. Amendment to questions put to voters 5 In sections 179(1)(b) and 187(1)(b) of the Principal Act, for "reside" substitute "live". 21. Amendment to section 185A In section 185A of the Principal Act for "121A" substitute "66". 10 22. Amendment to section 186 (1) In section 186(5) of the Principal Act for "registrar for the subdivision of the province or district for which the voter claims that he is entitled to vote" substitute "electoral registrar". 15 (2) In section 186(6) of the Principal Act-- (a) for "registrar" (where twice occurring) substitute "electoral registrar"; (b) omit "the subdivision of" (where twice occurring); 20 (c) for "Division 6 of Part III or Division 5 of Part IV" substitute "Part III"; (d) omit "report the matter to the chief electoral officer who shall". (3) In section 186(7) of the Principal Act-- 25 (a) for "an electoral registrar" substitute "the electoral registrar"; (b) omit "the subdivision of". 23. Amendment to sections 187, 230 and 234 In sections 187(5)(c), 230(3) and 234(1) of the 30 Principal Act for "13 days" (wherever occurring) substitute "9 days". 41 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 28 Act No. 24. Amendment to section 191 After section 191(3) of the Principal Act insert-- "(4) Notwithstanding anything in this Part if any voter satisfies the returning officer or deputy 5 that the voter is blind or that the voter's sight is so impaired or that the voter is otherwise so physically incapable that the voter is unable to enter the polling place, the returning officer or deputy may allow, in a 10 manner determined by the Electoral Commissioner, the voter to vote outside the polling place, in close proximity to the polling place.". 25. Amendment to section 193 15 After section 193(1)(e) of the Principal Act insert-- "; or (f) Conducting an exit poll.". 26. Full preferential voting 20 Sections 205(3), 205(4) and 205(5) of the Principal Act are repealed. 27. Amendment to section 207 In section 207(b)(v) of the Principal Act omit "the name of the subdivision". 25 28. Amendment to section 208 (1) In section 208(1)(b)(v) of the Principal Act omit "the name of the subdivision". (2) Section 208(1)(ga) of the Principal Act is repealed. 30 29. Amendment to section 208A (1) In section 208A(1) of the Principal Act for "Subject to sub-section (2), for" substitute "For". 42 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. (2) Section 208A(2) of the Principal Act is repealed. 30. New section 210 substituted For section 210 of the Principal Act substitute-- "210. Declaration of election 5 (1) As soon as possible after the date of the polling at any election the returning officer must-- (a) publicly declare the result of the election and announce the name of the 10 candidate elected and place a notice of the declaration signed by the returning officer in some conspicuous position at the principal polling place or at the office of the returning officer; or 15 (b) if the returning officer and the Electoral Commissioner are satisfied that any votes which have not yet been received by the returning officer cannot possibly affect the result of the election, publicly 20 declare the result of the election and announce the name of the candidate elected being the candidate who is certain to receive the greatest number of votes and place a notice of the 25 declaration signed by the returning officer in some conspicuous position at the principal polling place or at the office of the returning officer. (2) The returning officer must as soon as 30 possible after declaring the result of the election under sub-section (1)(a) or (1)(b) advise the Electoral Commissioner of the result of the election and the name of the candidate elected. 43 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 31 32 Act No. (3) The Electoral Commissioner must publish in not less than 2 newspapers circulating generally in Victoria the result of the election-- 5 (a) by giving the name or names of the candidate or candidates elected; or (b) if the returning officer and the Electoral Commissioner are satisfied that any votes which have not yet been received 10 by the returning officer cannot possibly affect the result of the election, by declaring the name or names of the candidate or candidates who is or are certain to receive the greatest number 15 of votes to be duly elected. (4) The number of first preference votes given for each candidate and (if the case so requires) the details of distribution of preference votes shall be obtainable without 20 fee from the office of the Electoral Commissioner during office hours.". 31. Antarctic voting (1) In section 218B(2) of the Principal Act for "Governor in Council" substitute "Electoral 25 Commissioner". (2) In section 218D(1) of the Principal Act omit "for the subdivision for which the elector is enrolled". (3) In sections 218D(2) and 218D(3) of the Principal Act for "an electoral" (wherever occurring) 30 substitute "the electoral". (4) Sections 218D(4), 218D(5) and 218D(6) of the Principal Act are repealed. 32. Amendment to section 220 After section 220(2) of the Principal Act insert-- 44 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 33 Act No. "(2A) An application form for a declaration and postal ballot-paper may be physically attached to, or form part of, other written material issued by any person or 5 organization. (2B) For the purposes of the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968, if a person other than the owner of the copyright in the application form for a declaration and postal ballot-paper 10 reproduces the application form, the person is not taken to have infringed the copyright in the application form. (2C) A written application and declaration by a person that he or she is an elector who is 15 entitled to apply for a declaration and postal ballot-paper may be sent through the post or transmitted by facsimile machine. (2D) If a person transmits by facsimile machine a written application and declaration under this 20 section, the signature of the person on the written application and declaration so transmitted is deemed to be the personal signature of the person.". 33. Amendment to section 221 25 (1) In section 221(1)(e) of the Principal Act for "116(3); or" substitute "62(3);". (2) After section 221(1)(f) of the Principal Act insert-- "(g) an elector who, because he or she will be at a 30 place (other than a hospital) caring for a person who is seriously ill or infirm, is unable to travel from that place to a polling place; 45 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. (h) an elector whose address has been excluded from the roll under section 66; (i) an elector who because of his or her religious beliefs or membership of a religious order-- 5 (i) is precluded from attending a polling booth; or (ii) for the greater part of the hours of polling on polling day, is precluded from attending a polling booth.". 10 (3) In sections 221(2), 221(6), 221(8), 221(9), 221(10), 221(11), 221(13) and 221(16) of the Principal Act for "Electoral Commissioner" (whenever occurring) substitute "electoral registrar". 15 (4) In sections 221(2), 221(6), 221(9), 221(10), 221(11), 221(13) and 221(16)(a) of the Principal Act for "province and district" substitute "district and province". (5) After section 221(5) of the Principal Act insert-- 20 "(5A) An application under sub-section (2) may be sent through the post or transmitted by facsimile machine. (5B) If a person transmits by facsimile machine an application under sub-section (2), the 25 signature of the person on the application so transmitted is deemed to be the personal signature of that person.". (6) In section 221(7) of the Principal Act-- (a) for "116(3)" substitute "62(3)"; 30 (b) omit "for the subdivision for which the person is claiming enrolment shall, forthwith upon enrolment, notify the Electoral Commissioner who". 46 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 35 Act No. (7) In section 221(11) of the Principal Act for "subdivision" substitute "district and province". (8) For section 221(15) of the Principal Act substitute-- 5 "(15) If an elector who is a registered general postal voter for a district and province makes a claim under Part III for transfer of enrolment to another district and province, the electoral registrar must-- 10 (a) transfer the registration of the elector as a general postal voter for the other district and province; or (b) if the electoral registrar is satisfied that the elector would not be entitled to be 15 so registered if the elector made an application under sub-section (2), cancel the registration of the elector as a general postal voter and advise the elector, in writing, to that effect.". 20 34. Repeal of section 267G Section 267G of the Principal Act is repealed. 35. Publicising exit poll results Before the heading to Division 20A of Part V of the Principal Act insert-- 25 "267GA. Prohibition of publicly disseminating exit poll results during the hours of polling A person must not, during the hours of polling, publicly disseminate, or cause, permit or authorize the public dissemination 30 of, the results of an exit poll carried out at a polling place. 47 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 38 Act No. Penalty: $1200 or 1 year imprisonment.". 36. New section 270 substituted For section 270 of the Principal Act substitute-- "270. Electoral Commissioner to prepare list of 5 non-voters Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, the Electoral Commissioner at the close of the poll at every election must prepare a list of the names of the electors 10 who have not recorded their votes at the election.". 37. Addresses to which non-voters' notices should be sent In section 271 of the Principal Act-- (a) for paragraph (a) substitute-- 15 "(a) must send by post to each elector whose name appears on the list prepared under section 270 at the elector's latest known address, a notice in the prescribed form notifying the 20 elector that he or she has failed to record his or her vote at the election and requiring him or her to state the true reason why he or she failed so to vote; and"; 25 (b) for paragraph (b)(i) substitute-- "(i) the full name of the elector as appearing on the list prepared under section 270 and the elector's latest known address and the name of the 30 electoral district or province in which the elector was entitled to vote and the elector's number on the roll; and". 38. Amendment to section 271B 48 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 43 Act No. In section 271B of the Principal Act for "121A" (where twice occurring) substitute "66". 39. Amendment to section 272 In sections 272(3)(a), 272(3)(b) and 272(4) of the 5 Principal Act for "marked roll" (wherever occurring) substitute "list prepared under section 270". 40. Amendment to section 273 In section 273 of the Principal Act-- 10 (a) for "The marked roll" substitute "The list prepared under section 270"; (b) for "such marked roll" (where twice occurring) substitute "such list"; (c) omit "marked as aforesaid". 15 41. Amendment to section 306A In section 306A(2) of the Principal Act-- (a) omit "a subdivision of"; (b) omit "subdivision of a". 42. Repeal of section 308 20 Section 308 of the Principal Act is repealed. 43. Form of ballot paper In the Ninth Schedule to the Principal Act-- (a) after "Fold the ballot paper and put it in the ballot box" insert "or declaration envelope, 25 as appropriate"; (b) omit "Do not take this ballot paper out of the polling booth.". _______________ 49 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 s. 44 47 Act No. PART 3--AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS 44. Constitution Act 1975 (1) In section 5 of the Constitution Act 1975 omit the definition of "subdivision". 5 (2) Sections 27(3), 27(4), 35(3) and 35(4) of the Constitution Act 1975 are repealed. (3) After section 27(1A) of the Constitution Act 1975 insert-- "(1B) The abolition of subdivisions does not affect 10 the election of members of the Legislative Council or the enrolment of electors in respect of a province.". (4) After section 35(1) of the Constitution Act 1975 insert-- 15 "(1A) The abolition of subdivisions does not affect the election of members of the Assembly or the enrolment of electors in respect of a district.". 45. Senate Elections Act 1958 20 In section 4 of the Senate Elections Act 1958-- (a) in sub-section (1A) for "eleven days nor more than 28 days" substitute "10 days nor more than 27 days"; (b) in sub-section (2) for "twenty-two days or 25 more than thirty days" substitute "23 days or more than 31 days". 46. Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982 Section 17(2) of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982 is repealed. 30 47. Geographic Place Names Act 1998 50 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. In section 4(a)(i) of the Geographic Place Names Act 1998 omit "or a subdivision of an electoral province or district". 48. Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 5 In Schedule 3 to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 in clause 17(2)(b) and (e) for "Chief Electoral Officer" (wherever occurring) substitute "Electoral Commissioner". 49. Local Government Act 1989 10 In Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 1989-- (a) in clause 1(2)(c)-- (i) for "Victorian Electoral Commission" substitute "Victorian Electoral 15 Commissioner"; (ii) for "Commission or Council" substitute "Commissioner, Commission or Council"; (b) in clause 15(3)(d)-- 20 (i) for "State Electoral Office" substitute "Victorian Electoral Commissioner"; (ii) for "Office" substitute "Commissioner". 50. Juries Act 1967 25 In section 2(2)(b) of the Juries Act 1967 for "Chief Electoral Officer" substitute "Electoral Commissioner". 51 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 Notes Act No. NOTES By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria. 52 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


 

The Constitution Act Amendment (Amendment) Act 1999 Act No. 53 532162B.A1-6/5/99

 


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