7 December 2017

First public hearing on Section 44

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hold its first public hearing on matters relating to Section 44 of Australia’s Constitution tomorrow.

Committee Chair Senator Linda Reynolds said the hearing will provide the Committee with a first opportunity to understand the complexities surrounding Section 44 of the Constitution and the types of possible action that can lead to greater stability in our Parliamentary system.

“Australians need to be assured all members of parliament are constitutionally eligible to serve and they must also have confidence in the processes leading to parliamentarians’ election,” Senator Reynolds said.

The Terms of Reference are available on the Committee’s website.

Submissions are now open and will close on 9 February 2018.

The Committee will hear evidence from the Australian Electoral Commission, the Attorney General’s Department, and professors Anne Twomey, Graeme Orr and George Williams.

Public Hearing Details:

Date: Friday, 8 December 2017

Time: 9.00am

Location: Room 2R1 Parliament House Canberra

Media enquiries:

Media Contact: Amy Blom (08) 9477 5411, 0431 685 372 or amy.blom@aph.gov.au

For background:

Contact the Secretariat (02) 6277 2374 or via e-mail em@aph.gov.au