In the High Court decision made on the 30th of August 2007 prisoners serving a sentence of less than 3 years won back their right to vote.
In light of this decision JA has taken continued action to ensure that eligible prisoners have the opportunity to enrol and vote in the upcoming 2007 Federal election.
In the High Court decision made on the 30th of August 2007 prisoners serving a sentence of less than 3 years won back their right to vote. In light of this decision JA has taken continued action to ensure that eligible prisoners have the opportunity to enrol and vote in the upcoming 2007 Federal election.
In recent weeks JA has made enquiries to see that the appropriate measures to enrol prisoners have been taken by both the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and the Departments of Corrective Services in each Australian state and territory.
Since the election was called for the 24th of November JA has shifted focus to see that how to votes, campaign literature, and candidates can reach prisoners. In states where mobile polling will be conducted how to votes will be carried in on polling day. However in states such as NSW and QLD where general postal votes will be used, there have been no arrangements made by Corrective Services to allow such information to reach prisoners.
It is now important that political parties get their information though to the AEC and Corrective Services so that prisoners may participate fully in this years election.