News

Second  Electoral Reform Green Paper

Have your say by 27 November!

The second green paper on electoral reform was released by the Australian Government in September. The first green paper, for which the comment period has now closed, concentrated on issues relating to Australia's electoral funding and disclosure arrangements.

The second paper opens up a wider range of issues including, of particular interest to expatriates, a discussion of possible changes to the enrolment and voting arrangements for overseas Australians. In essence, the paper discusses the whole of the existing electoral law and makes suggestions about how that can be changed for the better.

The Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, issued a media release  when the discussion paper was published. The paper is available for examination and/or download via the links on the PM&C website. The first paper is also available on that page. 

For many years the SCG has been making submissions to the Parliament seeking change in the law as it applies to overseas Australians without much success. It is pleasing to note that in Chapter 4 of the second Green Paper, at paragraphs 4.36 to 4.41 on pages 38 to 40 those issues are discussed and that in the concluding Chapter 15 - "Issues for Discussion and Comment" - a number of questions on those issues are posed for discussion.

The Government has invited public comment on the paper and the issues it raises. The closing date for submissions is 27 November 2009. Submissions can be made by email to electoralreformsecretariat@pmc.gov.au  however you must include a standard cover page. Full details are available on the PM&C website.

We encourage Australians currently overseas and those who may have returned to Australia after a period overseas, to put their views to the Government by making a submission. Do not feel restricted to those questions listed in Chapter 13 if you feel that there are other matters that need consideration.

To review the many submissions on expat voting which the SCG has made to government in the last 10 years, see our website.

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Online Discussion Forum for Second Electoral Reform Green Paper

Share your views on overseas voting until 5pm AESDT Friday 13 November

For a limited period of one week only, the Electoral Reform Secretariat within the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet in Canberra has just made an online discussion forum available for the Second Green Paper.

It is easy to register and post comments.

We have asked the Secretariat to extend the life of the online forum, but at this stage it is due to close at 5pm AESDT Friday 13 November, so get posting now!

Even if you don't want to make a written submission by the later 27 November deadline, this is a good opportunity to air your views informally.

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Federal By-elections in Higgins and Bradfield  

Following the resignations from Parliament of Peter Costello and Brendan Nelson the Australian Electoral Commission has announced that by-elections for the Federal seats of Higgins and Bradfield are to be held on 5 December 2009.

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Diplomatic Appointments

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has announced the following diplomatic appointments: 

Sweden

Although previously announced as Ambassador to Sweden, Hugh Borrowman has now indicated to the Minister that he is unable to take up the appointment for personal reasons.

 APEC

Ric Wells as Ambassador to APEC .

Austria

Michael Potts as Ambassador to Austria .

Portugal

Patrick Lawless as Ambassador to Portugal.  

Germany

Peter Tesch as Ambassador to Germany . 

Lebanon

Ms Jean Dunn as ambassador to Lebanon .

United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar

Douglas Trappett as Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar .

United States

Kim Beazley as Ambassador to the United States .

EU, Belgium, Luxembourg, Nato and WHO

Brendan Nelson as all of the above appointments .

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New Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

On 13 August the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Stephen Smith, announced that Dennis Richardson would be the new secretary of the Department. He replaced Michael L'Estrange who had served as Secretary for four and a half and previous to that as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Mr Richardson was Australia's Ambassador to the United States at the time of the announcement.

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New Social Security Agreements

New social security agreements have been signed with the Czech Republic and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia .

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Australian Pensions Have Changed  

Australian Pensions changed from 20 September 2009. If you, or someone you know, is receiving the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Wife Pension, Widow B Pension, Carer Payment, Service Pension or Income Support Supplement, these changes may affect you.

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National Companion Card Scheme

The National Companion Card scheme brings together state and territory programs that enable eligible people with disability to participate at venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their attendant carer. 

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