Inquiry calls for voter ID at elections

Voters should have to show ID at polling booths to remove the chances of multiple voting, a report has suggested.

An inquiry into the 2016 federal election has called for voters to have to show ID at polling booths.

But Labor members of the committee which wrote the report say such a move would adversely impact on indigenous people, people affected by family and domestic violence, younger Australians, and homeless and itinerant people.

Electoral matters committee chair, Liberal National Party senator James McGrath, said many democracies around the world such as India and Canada require voters to show ID.

"Yet in Australia we do not treat elections with the same gravity as a visit to a surf club or entering a Brisbane CBD pub after 10pm on a Friday night," he said in the report.

Labor MP and deputy chair Andrew Giles said there was no evidence from the 2016 election of any irregularities, such as multiple voting or impersonation, which would require the change.

The 245-page report also calls for parties to have at least 1000 members before they can register and review the $20 fine for not voting.

As well, a task force should be set up to ensure election campaigns are not manipulated via social media platforms.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world