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Electoral Matter Committee member Michael Danby drilled down into the AEC's testimony discovering that nearly all examples of multiply voting were elderly people who because of confusion or poor comprehension voted twice at a mobile booth and again on the day. Danby's questioning of the new electoral commissioner Ed Killesteyn shows that while 1.3 million Australians were not on the electoral roll the Federal Police only investigated 5 genuine cases of electoral fraud. Click here
Mr Killesteyn-Thank you, Chair. I wish to make an opening statement. Let me commence by thanking you for your welcome and congratulations. I am both pleased and honoured to appear before the committee as the Australian Electoral Commissioner. I look forward to the opportunity to build on the substantial reputation that the AEC has established for delivering highly professional electoral services. Two thousand and nine marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Australian Electoral Commission as an independent statutory authority and comes at a time when change to the electoral system to meet the needs of a modern society has widespread interest and is the subject of public debate and a government-led reform process. This anniversary is an opportunity not only to reflect on the AEC's achievements over the past 25 years but also to focus on how we can continue to deliver electoral services that are responsive to the needs of the Australian community for the next 25 years.
As I have been going about the task of developing directions for the AEC, I have been exploring how the AEC can build on its excellent reputation and good relationships with stakeholders by focusing on the need for modernisation of the federal electoral system. The AEC must keep pace with the Australian community's changing expectations regarding the delivery of services. We need to maintain and elector-centric outlook in the way we think about our business and services. We also need to continue and extend the productive relationships we have built with partners, such as the state electoral commissions, and invest in skills development and equipping our staff with contemporary systems and tools in our efforts to modernise AEC services to the community.
The joint standing committee is looking at many important electoral issues that we in the AEC will work hard to support, but I want to focus my remarks today on an emerging issue which is fundamental in our democratic system, and that is preserving and enhancing the franchise of Australian citizens. One of the biggest challenges currently facing the AEC is to ensure that Australian citizens get the chance to exercise their key democratic right-their franchise. One critical aspect of this is the need for the electoral roll to be as accurate and complete as is possible at all times, including between federal elections, reflecting the fact that the roll is also used for state, territory and local government elections.
In this respect I note that during 2008 there were 82 roll closures. The need for the roll to be up to date, and to be kept up to date, is self-evident. This demonstrates that the debate should be about how we can do that at all times, not just at the time of a federal election. As at the end of February 2009, there were over 13.8 million electors on the electoral roll. While this figure represents an increase in the number of electors enrolled since the 2007 federal election, that is,
13.645 million, it does not match the increase in the number of eligible voters in the community.
At the 2007 federal election an estimated 92.3 per cent of the total number of eligible voters were on the electoral roll. This represented an increase of 0.8 per cent on the estimated participation rate at the 2004 federal election. The enrolment participation rate has now dropped to a level of 91.63 per cent in spite of the increase in the number of electors currently on the electoral roll. Discussion of the participation rate in percentage terms, however, masks the true extent of the disenfranchisement that exists in the Australian community. We estimate there are about 1.2 million eligible voters currently not on the electoral roll, and who are therefore not able to exercise their franchise.
Even to achieve a 95 per cent participation rate, which is the AEC's stated target, would require nearly a further 700,000 new enrolments by the end of 2010, based on population projections to that time. To maintain by the end of 2010 the participation rate at the level we secured for the 2007 election, that is 92.3 per cent, would require nearly 300,000 additional enrolments.
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There was a favourable election report on the Melbourne Ports Victory in the Melbourne Weekly. Click here
Look who is suppporting Michael Danby on August 21. Click here
The Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor today announced that, if re-elected, a Gillard Government will extend the highly successful Secure Schools Program, which has already improved security at 54 schools across Australia. Click here Michael Danby calls for Liberal candidate for Melbourne Ports to disassociate himself from fake Danby website. Click here Emerald Hill Weekly interviews Michael Danby on rise La Gillarde. Click Here
So, what is Australia's National Broadband Network? Why is it so important and what will it mean for every Australian? Click here
Federal Labor's School Building Program saw the culmination of nearly a decades hard work by Galilee Primary School principal, Frank Cervillo with the opening of the schools multi-purpose hall, replacing a derelict under croft. Michael Danby representing Education Minister Julia Gillard said with the addition to the school precinct, Father Bob McGuire, Father David Hoffman, the local Catholic community and the Catholic Education office now saw Galilee and an adornment to the Catholic Education system. Click here.
Before Australia's Parliament leglislates autonomous sactions against Iran, Australia welcomed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 imposing new sanctions against Iran, adopted overnight in New York. Click here
Danby examines how the Federal Labor Government is addressing Public Housing in Melbourne Ports. Click here
Broadcaster and eminent theatrical producer John Michael Howson writes to Michael Danby on Passports Affair. Click here
Michael Danby, has welcomed the Treasurer's 2010 Federal Budget which is economically responsible and provides relief for the people of Melbourne Ports experiencing cost of living pressures, while also affording additional incentives for saving. Click here
New Salvation Army Crisis Accommodation Centre opened by Michael Danby and Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek. Click here
Malaysian Militant attacks Danby in Malaysian Parliament, Click here
Michael Danby, argued not to accept the Stern Hu bribery conviction, as it may have been given under duress Click here
Michael expressed his doubts about the fairness of Chinese legal system and its dealing with the Australian citizen Stern Hu. Follow the link to see Michael Danby on Bloomberg TV's 'The Trade', speaking on Stern Hu Click here
Michael Danby criticised Tony Abbott's undignified jibes in front of Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Click here
Michael Danby welcomed the resumption of Middle East Peace Talks and pointed to generous offers made to the Palestinians by previous Israeli leader Ehud Olmert-see map, click here
More than 400 people attended a function at the St Kilda Town Hall on February 15 to pay tribute to Danby's work in the electorate for more than 11 years. Click here
Over 60 Australian Mp's and Senators signed a letter to the Malaysian Government asking to drop the charges against Anwar Ibrahim. Click here
Michael Danby says the ABC wont kow-tow to the Chinese communist party, click here.
Click here to read Laurie Oakes's overview of proposals that would cost the taxpayer $500 million dollars to finance political parties, published in The Herald Sun on the 19th of December, 2009.
Click here to read the speech delivered by Governor-General Bryce on Sir Zelman Cowen's 90th Birthday.
Julie Bishop makes a desperate and out of context attack on Michael Danby. Click here
Michael Danby has called the Liberal Party's recent outburst on Border Security nonsense. Follow the link to see Minister for Immigration & Citizenship, Chris Evans, discuss the recent influx of asylum seekers on Lateline (October 14), click here, or more recently the Minister's interview on the 7.30 Report on the 21st of October. Click here
Michael Danby delivered a detailed speech on New Matilda and Crikey.com declaring them the ‘dark and ugly recesses of the internet' . Mr Danby called on Crikey owner Eric Beecher to explain his publications failure to moderate racist comments. Click here.
Beijing's treatment of minority groups. Says a cover story of the Aust. Jewish News. Click here
An All party delegation to India consisting of 6 mps had their outrage towards the recent attacks on Indian students reported in the Economic Times (of India). Click here
Michael Danby promoted the Harmony Day Walk in the Hindustan Times on the 4th of July Click here and on the same day the Sunday Tribune (of Bangalore) newspaper reported on the delegations outcry at the attacks on Indian Students Click here
25 May 2009: Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration Michael Danby, today tabled the 2nd of the Committee's reports into immigration detention. For Michael's tabling speech please click here. Please click here for the media release.
Local area receives Budget millions. Please click here for information on the benefits Melbourne Ports is receiving in the 2009-10 Budget.For a macro explanation of the budget, please see this interview with Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner and this interview with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Local small businesses were winners in this year's budget. There will be an increase and extension of the Small Business and General Business Tax Break. For more information please see these links to Media Releases from the Minister for Small Business Craig Emerson.
Media Release 1 Media Release 2
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd blasted Iran's role in undermining the anti racism essence of last week's UN conference, which had the stated objective of opposing bigotry. Click here
New Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn explained that 1.2 million Australians are not enrolled to vote, to see his dramatic opening statement to the Electoral Matters Committee click here.
Chinese Ambassador ticks off Member for Melbourne Ports. Danby welcomes his felicitous response: SMH article, Canberra Times articleForeign Minister defends Danby's appearance at rally click here
Michael Danby today announced that 28 local schools in Melbourne Ports will receive $4 million for minor infrastructure and refurbishment projects under Round One of the National School Pride (NSP) program. Click here
Pauline Hanson drops her bundle appearing on Today Tonight (channel 7) and walks out on an interview over questions about the $200 000 bonus she received, for receiving 4% of the Queensland Senate vote ($2.10 per voter) at the 2007 election click here. To read how Michael Danby exposed her earlier funding rort Click here
The Joint Committee on Migration established a new paradigm for the humane but rational treatment of asylum seekers. Click here.
Clive James, one of Australia's most celebrated expatriates penned the following poem in the Australian Literary Review. September 7 2007
