media release

DATE 18/07/10

YOUR VOTE CAN STILL COUNT

Senator Helen Polley, Labor Senator for Tasmania, has today urged residents to make sure they enrol to vote and have their say in who leads the country.

 

“The clock is now ticking after Prime Minister Julia Gillard called a Federal Election for Saturday 21 August 2010,” Senator Polley said.

 

“This is your chance to have a say on the future of our community and who should lead the country.

 

“On polling day, voters choose who they trust to move Australia forward with a strong economy and better schools and hospitals.

 

“It’s not too late to enrol to vote – but if you haven’t already contacted the Australian Electoral Commission, you only have a few days left.”

 

Senator Polley said the Federal Labor Government had already acted to remove some of the hurdles which prevent modern enrolment.

 

But the Liberal-National Coalition does not support our legislation to give people up to a week to enrol once the writs for an election are issued.

 

“The Coalition is still trying to make it as hard as possible for voters to have their say,” Senator Polley said.

 

People not currently on the roll have until 8pm on Monday 19 July 2010 to complete an enrolment form and get it to the Australian Electoral Commission.

 

Those people already on the roll and wanting to update their enrolment have until three days after the writs are issued – in other words, they must have updated their details by Thursday 22 July 2010.

 

Residents in Tasmania who have a question about voting should contact the AEC on 13 23 26 or go to www.aec.gov.au