Senator Eric Abetz

The last Federal election saw 655 cases of identified multiple voting in Tasmania according to official Australian Electoral Commission data.

The figures were obtained by Senate Opposition Leader Senator Eric Abetz, a former Special Minister of State.

Following is a breakdown of the instances of multiple voting per electorate identified by the AEC in Tasmania during the last election.

Bass 95
Braddon 81
Denison 180
Franklin 124
Lyons 175

“Bass has been won and lost on fewer votes. That is why multiple voting needs to be treated very seriously,” Senator Abetz said.

“Denison, with the highest number of identified instances of multiple voting was a close run seat as to whose preferences were distributed first.”

“I have always been concerned to ensure the integrity of our electoral roll and that our voting system is robust.”

“With 655 cases of multiple voting identified in Tasmania and 29,920 identified Australia wide, there is cause for genuine concern.”

“The sad fact is that no one has been prosecuted,” Senator Abetz said.

“By the AEC’s own admission, a simple denial of multiple voting leads to no further follow up by authorities.”

“Our democratic system is the envy of the world. Yet it is fragile as it depends on universal faith in the integrity and robustness of the system,” Senator Abetz said.

“29,920 cases of multiple voting with no prosecution is not the way to maintain the faith and confidence of the people in the electoral system.”

“Incredibly 1458 people actually admitted to multiple voting. Of those, 19 cases were referred to the AFP for further investigation, but at the conclusion of the investigation just 3 people were issued with a formal police caution.”

“The seat of Calwell in Victoria had the highest numbers of multiple voting with 626, the lowest number was in Braddon in Tasmania with 81 recorded cases.”

“In Tasmania there were 24 cases of admitted multiple voting with half of them (12) in Bass.”

“Only 1 of the 24 cases in Tasmania, a Denison voter, was referred to the Federal Police.”

“We may need to consider better methods of ensuring voter identification at election time.”

“It’s also clear that there needs to be a much greater emphasis on pursuing alleged offenders if we are to maintain confidence in our electoral system,” Senator Abetz said.