The federal government is being asked to consider giving more money to the Australian Electoral Commission to help modernise future elections.
A parliamentary committee looking into the 2016 poll said the AEC had struggled to meet the increasing size and scale of federal elections.
It has recommended additional funding for planning upgrades to the AEC's systems, as well as:
- Additional training for temporary staff who are likely to work over multiple elections;
- The rollout of additional electronic certified lists at polling stations; and
- A trial to test the scanning and electronic counting of ballot papers for the House of Representatives.
Liberal senator and chair Linda Reynolds said there was evidence that public confidence in the AEC's ability to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system has weakened over recent federal elections.
"This hasn't happened because of fraud or corruption, but through technological and legislative impediments," she said.
She noted that recent events at home and abroad indicated cyber security threats to the Australian electoral process needed to be identified and mitigated.
The committee's report, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, recommends that the AEC consider specific systems and training to combat challenges with holding elections in rural and regional areas, hospitals and aged care facilities.
It has also suggested extending the rollout of electronic certified lists at the next federal election to ensure all polling places and mobile teams have at least one electronic list or a facility to look up the electronic roll.
The committee has asked the AEC update it every six months on its progress towards modernisation.
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