Released 18/06/2020
The COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 (No. 2) was introduced in the Legislative Assembly today.
The Bill will:
- ensure the ACT 2020 election can go ahead in in a COVID-safe way; and
- bring an early end to the COVID-19 emergency measure that allows the Supreme Court to order criminal trials to be heard by a judge sitting alone.
Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay noted that the Bill will amend the Electoral Act 1992 to ensure that the ACT election planned for October can occur in a COVID-safe manner and facilitate participation of all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Elections are essential to our system of representative democracy and it is crucial that the upcoming ACT election can be conducted in a manner that is safe, fair and inclusive despite any impacts that might be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said.
“The Bill will give effect to the Electoral Commission’s recommendation to support expanded eligibility for early voting and minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the election period.
“The Bill also introduces the legislative framework for telephone voting so it can be an option to vote for people who are blind or vision-impaired and those with physical disabilities.
“Amendments have also been introduced to support the Electoral Commission in their implementation of a limited overseas electronic voting solution which is aimed at ensuring more votes can be added to the count in the context of international postal delays due to COVID-19.”
Electoral amendments introduced through this Bill are not permanent and will only impact the October 2020 election.
The Electoral Commission will communicate any decisions regarding final voting options and administrative matters such as confirmation of the locations of early voting centres and polling places and operating times.
The Bill will also repeal an existing COVID-19 emergency response measure which allows the Supreme Court to order a judge alone criminal trial.
This emergency measure was introduced in April 2020 in response to the situation at the time, where all jury trials were suspended by the ACT Supreme Court due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the Supreme Court recently decided to recommence jury trials with special measures in place to ensure appropriate physical distancing.
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases