Electoral Act review feedback extended

THE State Government has extended the consultation period for reforms to the state’s electoral laws.

The review was prompted in part by concerns that Tasmania’s rules on electoral donations are the most lax in the country.

Political parties in Tasmania are only required to declare the source of donations worth $13,800 or more — the highest threshold in Australia but on par with the requirements of the Commonwealth.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said there had been significant developments on aspects of electoral laws in part due to a recent High Court decision on NSW electoral laws.

“This High Court decision is highly relevant to several aspects of the review into Tasmania’s Electoral Act and associated laws,” she said.

“To ensure that everyone can have their say on this issue or make a further submission in light of these recent developments in law by the High Court … public consultation on the Interim Report will be extended to 15 April 2019.”

This will still enable the report to be finalised in 2019.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the extension was a “blatant display of heeldragging”. “It is more evidence of this Liberal Government’s allergy to transparency and accountability,” she said.

“Tasmanians were given two months to respond to the Interim Report which came out last December. Now the Attorney-General is giving the review team two months to respond to a narrowly relevant High Court decision.”

For details on how to provide a submission, visit www.justice.tas.gov.au.

The first stage of electoral reform legislation will be debated in the first sitting weeks of parliament this year.