[Greens-Media] NSW Labor passes self-serving polling day law

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 27 September 2006

NSW Labor passes self-serving polling day law 

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says changes to NSW election laws, which passed through Parliament last night, were designed to allow Labor to smother polling booths with super-sized election material and frustrate the electoral chances of smaller parties and independents.

“The Greens were successful in moving amendments to prevent Labor removing the size limit on posters and placards at polling booths, a proposal which would have favoured larger parties with fat wallets,” Ms Rhiannon said.
 
“The major parties are now prevented from wrapping the fences of polling booths with banners and swathing booths with expensive placards, as seen in previous federal elections. 

“A Greens amendment to broaden when and where ‘how to vote’ cards and other election material is available for scrutiny prior to election day, as occurs in Queensland and Victoria, was voted down.  

“The Greens amendment would have given voters, the media and other candidates four days before polling day to scrutinise preference deals evident in ‘how to vote’ cards.

“In the past misleading material has been distributed to voters on election day in an attempt to discredit parties or candidates. This amendment would have allowed these kind of scams to be identified and discounted. 

“The government voted against a Greens amendment to require that posters cannot be put up at polling booths on or before 6am on election day.

“This was designed to avoid a repeat of the last federal election when under shadow of darkness booths were decorated the evening before and security guards hired to protect posters. 

“Labor’s new laws will make it more difficult for voters to inform themselves about how to vote and damage democracy in NSW.

 “A robust democracy needs an informed electorate where all parties and candidate can communicate with voters on polling day. 

“The government has cynically used its power to gain electoral advantage and democracy is now poorer in NSW as a result, Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568 or 9230 3551


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed and alternate Mons)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au