Qld: Electoral expert recommends longer jail term for rorters

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2000
Qld: Electoral expert recommends longer jail term for rorters

Politicians caught vote-rigging will face a year in jail under proposed reforms to
be considered at today's federal inquiry into electoral matters.

Queensland electoral law expert COLIN HUGHES has made eight key recommendations to
the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters including jail and hefty fines for convicted
rorters.

The inquiry -- chaired by Liberal Party backbencher CHRISTOPHER PYNE -- will report
to the federal government on the integrity of the Commonwealth electoral roll.

Professor HUGHES has suggested wide-ranging reforms to the Commonwealth Electoral Act
to avoid vote-rigging in preselections, including a 12-month jail sentence and fines exceeding
$1,000.

In his submission to the inquiry, which will be held in Brisbane today, Professor HUGHES
says claims of vote-rigging in Townsville ahead of the controversial Mundingburra by-election
shows a temptation to malpractice by parties.

AAP RTV ap/sc/jx/jn/alt/hn

KEYWORD: ELECTORAL HUGHES (BRISBANE)

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