PM Transcripts

13 June 1974
PRESS STATMENT NO. 268
VISIT TO CANADA BY THE MINISTER FOR SERVICES AND PROPERTY
The Prime Minister, the Honourable E. G. Whitlam,
today announced that the Honourable F. M. Daly, Minister
for Services and Property, will study the conduct of the Federal
elections in Cahiada, where polling is to take place on 8 July.
Mr. Whitlam said. that, in view of the great public
interest in electoral administration following the recent
Australian elections, the elections presented an excellent
opportunity to study the Canadian system with the possibility of
improving the Australian legislation.
Having regard to the period of three months required
for the completion of the current Australian Senate elections,
the Australian Government is particularly anxious to examine in
depth the methods used and the time required for the finalisation
of elections in Canada. To this end, Mr. Daly would visit
several of the Provinces in addition to Ottawa.
He would also be looking at several other aspects of the
Canadian electoral legislation and procedures whilst the election
is in progress, including voting procedures, political party
campaign expenditure and a limitation thereon, allocation of time
on television and radio for the promulgation of election matter,
the " blackout" period prior to the elections, and, newspaper
advertising. These aspects of electoral legislation were
particularly relevant In view of the electoral legislation which
the Government proposed to introduce early in the next Session.
The Government is determined to improve the Australian
Electoral system and will ensure that the-Electoral Office is given
adequate facilities to administer our elections efficiently. The
structure, systems and facilities of the Australian Electoral
Office are currently being examined and the Government proposes to
engage a Management Consultancy firm to assist the Australian
Electoral Office and the Board in this examination.
The Minister will be accompanied on his visit by Mr. F. Ley,
Chief Australian Electoral Officer and Mr. I. F. Weise, Australian
Electoral Officer for Queensland.
CAN BE RRA