We believe the body tasked with overseeing the by-election, informing voters and providing voting opportunities has failed our community, and not for the first time.
It is hard to work out how the AEC decided on pre-poll venues, though it is reasonable to suggest it was done with little knowledge of our vast electorate.
As an example, why would pre-polling be open last week in Echuca – which is not even part of the Farrer electorate – yet not in Deniliquin?
And how does the AEC justify having no pre-polling at all in our nearby communities including Finley, Berrigan, Tocumwal and Jerilderie?
It appears that if you live in Albury or Griffith the AEC will provide adequate pre-poll options, but for many parts of the electorate you’re ‘out of luck’.
Inequality in various services has been highlighted consistently throughout the by-election campaign, and here is yet another example of a government agency failing to adequately assist residents in this vital democratic process.
Just like banks, Australia Post services and a myriad of other examples, rural and regional communities are not given the services they deserve, and this needs to be a key focus for our next Member for Farrer.
Even the manner in which the AEC has advised Farrer residents of their voting responsibilities has left a lot to be desired.
It would appear they are satisfied with a campaign based mainly around distribution of a flyer and a bit of social media, despite the fact even governments warn people to be wary of what they read on social media.
The AEC should be far more active in disseminating information on the by-election and the voting responsibilities of constituents.
This government agency claims to deliver “free and fair federal elections for Australia”.
We’ll accept the ‘free’ bit (we don’t pay to vote); but would seriously question whether its process is ‘fair’ to the many of us who live in rural or regional communities.
