Electoral Amendment Bill

Members, we come now to Part 2. This is the debate on clauses 19 to 42 and the Schedule—other amendments. The question is that Part 2 stand part.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a question for the Minister and the officials. I’m a little confused at clauses 19 and 20, which amend the same section. Clause 19 looks to amend section 80(1)(a) by replacing “3 years” with “6 years”, and to amend section 80(1)(b) by replacing “12 months” with “4 years”, but then clause 20 reverses them back again. I’m a little confused about that, and I wonder, Minister, whether or not you could explain what’s going on there.

Yes, I can see why that would raise questions for the member. In brief, the summary is that clause 19 deals with the extensions out to the 2023 election, and in clause 20, those amendments extend the provisions out to the 2026 election.