Dr Arklay argues in The Conversation (26.11.13) that Indigenous voters, in particular, will be disadvanted by the Queensland legislation on voter IDs. ‘Australia has a long tradition of democratic innovation. Despite their flaws, universal franchise and compulsory voting remain the best protection against abuse. Of particular concern is how voter ID will affect Indigenous communities, the poor and the homeless. No matter how many forms of ID will be permitted, it is easy to imagine that on voting day, many otherwise eligible voters will not have their ID.’
Jennifer Rayner (Inside Story, 4.7.14) agrees. ‘The Coalition’s overtures on voter ID are premised on a moral panic, pure and simple. It is understandable that Australians would have questions about our electoral system in the wake of the WA Senate stuff-up. But the answer doesn’t lie in conspiracy theories and half-baked measures that pay little mind to the legal and organisational realities of running elections in Australia.’
- Tracey Arklay: Voter ID laws will fail the disadvantaged »
- Jennifer Rayner: Voter ID a fix for what’s not broken »
- Good riddance: the costs of Morrison’s voter ID plan outweighed any benefit »
- Past policies have created barriers to voting in remote First Nations communities »
- Is our electoral system truly democratic? How Australia stacks up on 4 key measures »