News
10 September, 2025
Election inquiry
CONCERNS about poor behaviour across polling booths at the last federal election has prompted an inquiry that will examine safety, security and voter experience.
The inquiry will look into concerns about aggressive conduct and intimidation at polling places and the capacity of the Australian Electoral Commission to manage safety, potential threats of foreign or domestic interference. Broader issues will also be discussed including the length of parliamentary terms and the number of MPs relative to population growth.
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is now inviting public submissions to its inquiry into the 2025 federal election.
Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, who is a member of the Committee and will sit on the review, said that hearing from local voters and volunteers would ensure the community’s experiences were reflected in the national review.
“I want to make sure the stories of our volunteers and voters in Blair are part of this review,” he said. “Whether it’s about your experience at a polling booth, how easy it was to vote, or the way campaigns were conducted, your story can help shape improvements for future elections.”
Mr Neumann has provided personal examples he witnessed during the election in Blair, including him and his staff allegedly being harassed and stalked, and a number of female voters being intimidated by hordes of men “haranguing and yelling at them as they attempted to make their way into polling booths”.
Committee Chair and Federal Member for Bennelong, Jerome Laxale, encouraged residents in Blair to have their say.
“The inquiry plays an important role in ensuring the Australian public have their say in how their elections are run,” he said. “Voters, volunteers and officials should never feel intimidated, harassed or have such an experience that they are discouraged from participating at future elections.”
Submissions are now invited, prior to the Committee commencing public hearings in mid-October. More information, including on how to make a submission, can be found on the inquiry webpage: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Electoral_Matters/2025federalelection
