News Release
		2001 News Releases index
Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council		Electoral News

Legislation requiring details of the age, place of birth and gender of every new elector on the South Australian roll be available to state parliamentarians is an abuse of privacy, say the Australian Democrats.

Four years ago state parliament passed legislation enabling new electors to choose if they wanted their details provided to state parliamentarians.

Since then an overwhelming majority of people signing onto the electoral roll have exercised their right to withhold that information. So great has the take up rate been that in just four years 13 per cent of the electorate has refused to authorise release of their details to state parliamentarians.

"In face of clear evidence the electorate prefers not to divulge those details the Labor and Liberal parties have conspired to pervert the majorities desire for privacy," says Mike Elliott, Australian Democrats State Leader.

"Base political motives lie at the heart of this sweeping disregard for the will of the people.

"People’s age, place of birth and gender are important snippets of information in the direct marketing campaigns run by both of the old parties.

"By choosing to withhold this information newly enrolled electors are effectively saying they don’t want to be targets of the letterbox wars.

"Other amendments give the Liberal and Labor parties access to the electoral roll that will be denied to other parties.

"The Democrats respect electors right to withhold personal information. So should the Liberal and Labor parties."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Mike Elliott

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