RECOMMENDATIONS flow to JSCEM 2025! (AMENDED)

The current inquiry by the (Federal Parliament's) Joint Select Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) is receiving submissions until 14 November 2025. SUBMISSION CLOSED. (More are in process and may be published by the Committee, including as mine was.)

Thus far there are 92 listed on the JSCEM website. 119  129  144 156  260

The AEC submission (004) runs to 17 pages and contains recommendations for changes (improvements) to the Federal Act.  For example, will the AEC be authorised to start counting "Ordinary Pre-poll" votes early, from midday on Polling Day (Election Day), instead of only after 6 pm? (see summary post.)

I have not read all the other submissions (and more in process). They may seek change also. Some are marked confidential and thus not published.

The Australian Electoral Act (1918) has been progressively changed, of course. What happens to the Act all depends on the Parliament of the day; in particular on the Government, ie, the Party with the control. The JSCEM may make (majority) recommendations to Government and the Government may approve preparation of an implementation Bill for Parliament to consider. Parliament may pass the Bill into law (Act) with or without amendment or may reject totally. (Perhaps an electoral proposal by another party or private member may have been considered over the years? I wonder.)

Lots of "may" clauses!

 If you know something that should happen, time is short!  Time is now! A tricky time of the year to garner submissions, I think.

NOTE:

I support the AEC "wishlist" but, if scrutiny (count) of "ordinary pre-poll ballots" is to start early during the Saturday (Election Day), I hope serious attention will be given to the critical issue of the vital scrutineer role. No "behind closed doors", please!

Yours sincerely

Allen Hampton

Coburg

achamptonmob@gmail.com

14 November 2025

Now I am puzzled! I just found that the JSCEM is still receiving submissions: 

On 3 September 2025, the Committee adopted an inquiry into all aspects of the conduct of the 2025 federal election.
Written submissions can be lodged via the inquiry webpage. Submissions in other formats, including video, should be emailed to em@aph.gov.au. Further information about making a submission to a parliamentary committee is available here.
Submissions to the inquiry close on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

Perhaps people have raised concerning issues that need further consideration - more information from the public; from voters about their experience. Here are the (I think new?) Terms of Reference:

Terms of Reference

That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquire into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 2025 federal election and related matters, including consideration of the following:
assessment and review of the purported increase in incidents of aggressive conduct, deliberate obstruction, and intimidating behaviour towards voters, political participants, volunteers, and Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) officials;
potential reform of safety and security arrangements, including consideration of the powers, processes, and capacity of the AEC to manage and address increasingly threatening or disruptive behaviour;
the suitability and potential reform of measures to ensure universal voter access, including polling booth availability and location, early voting, remote polling, and postal voting arrangements; and
the suitability of the current authorisation framework and requirements, having regard to the evolution of communication methods and technology.

The Special Minister of State has also asked the Committee to consider the interaction with the following:
the implementation and operation of the electoral reform passed by the 47th Parliament, particularly regarding the use of money or capital in the most recent election;
reforms to address the ongoing threats of interference in our electoral system, both foreign and domestic; and
the composition of the Parliament as a whole, including: the length of the parliamentary term; the potential for fixed terms; and the number of elected representatives relative to the growth in population and the electorate.

I can not believe the above changes were on the JSCEM website from September. Just puzzling. If I could I would complain!

This post Amended 13/12/25 by me Allen Hampton