Fed: ID rules for voters an attack on democracy

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2001
Fed: ID rules for voters an attack on democracy

By Ben Packham, State Political Correspondent

MELBOURNE, Aug 22 AAP - Federal government moves to require photo-ID from those enrolling
to vote were a "gross attack on democracy", the Victorian government said today.

Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls told parliament young people and new citizens
could be unable to vote at the next election under changes proposed by the Howard government.

He said his advice to those people was "enrol to vote, enrol now, and enrol quickly".

Mr Hulls said requiring photo-ID from applicants would unnecessarily complicate the
enrolment process.

"As a result, and I think this is what the feds are banking on in fact, many people
simply won't do it," he told state parliament today.

Mr Hulls said problems with the proposed legislation did not end there.

"Further to this gross attack on democracy, we hear this morning that the Liberal and
National parties also intend to close the rolls as soon as an election is called," he
said.

"This will disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of people at the next federal election."

Changed witnessing requirements would also complicate the process, he said.

The federal government is due to table its new requirements on identification and witnessing
in parliament at the end of the month, with the changes to come into effect on October
2.

AAP bp/clr/was

KEYWORD: ENROL

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