The South Australian Government has introduced changes to the Electoral Act which it says will strengthen the state’s democracy.

 

“Today, I have introduced a Bill into Parliament that delivers on the Government’s commitment to improve the electoral system,” Attorney-General John Rau said.

 

The Bill includes a repealing of the internet comment identification provisions which were introduced in 2009.

 

“The Government has listened to community concerns over those provisions and will repeal the condition that obliges an online publisher to record the name and postcode of the person taking responsibility for political content,” Mr Rau said.

 

The legislation also includes the proposal that the Electoral Commissioner will be the sole distributor of postal vote applications.

 

“In the past, the distribution of postal vote applications by parties has confused some voters.”

 

The Bill also requires authorised electoral material to disclose the political party affiliation, not just the name and address of the person who authorised its publication.