On 3 December 2009, the Centre made a Submission in response to the Australian Government’s Green Paper on electoral reform.
The submission argues that Australia’s electoral system should reflect and implement Australia’s international human rights obligations, in particular by protecting and promoting the right to vote, freedom of expression, the right to participate in public affairs and the right to equality and non-discrimination. This approach will both strengthen Australia’s democratic institutions and culture and enhance our international and regional standing in regard to human rights.
The submission also addresses the particular categories of persons who are currently disenfranchised, arguing that:
- all prisoners should have the right to vote;
- the exclusion of all ‘persons of unsound mind’ from the franchise is discriminatory and should be removed;
- the minimum voting age should be reduced to 17 years of age; and
- permanent resident non-citizens should be entitled to vote.
Finally, the submission makes a range of recommendations to ensure the effective enjoyment of electoral electoral rights across the community, including particular initiatives to ensure the full participation of people experiencing homelessness, young people, Aboriginal people and people with disability.
The Centre would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of leading law firm Allens Arthur Robinson to the research and drafting of the submission.
