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Australian Electoral Commission
There will be many people during the federal election who will want to influence who someone casts their vote for. This influence might be from a friend, family member, a candidate, a political party or an organisation. The source of these messages can originate domestically or from overseas.
Attempts to influence how people cast their vote can also occur via a range of channels - through advertising, the media, in online communication, in-person or a range of other mediums. While the number of channels continues to increase, the environment surrounding a federal election has always been filled with campaigning and communication - requiring voters to stop and consider what they’ve seen, heard or read before they make their own voting decision, whether this be from the privacy of a polling booth, or in their own home completing a postal vote.
Everyone has a vote that is entirely their own choice. Australia is famous for the invention of the secret ballot - often referred to as the ‘Australian ballot’ internationally. Regardless of attempts to influence how people cast their vote, nobody will know how another person has voted.
Australia’s federal elections are conducted manually using a pencil (or pen) and paper ballots. Each voter can consider what they’ve seen, read or heard during the election campaign, hopefully reflect on their own personal research prior to voting, and then use that private space in their voting screen to have their say.
The ‘Australian ballot’, manual voting system and transparent (community run) processes collectively form the basis of Australia’s high integrity electoral system.
Campaigning is an important part of the election process. However, there are some communication methods and channels that can lead to voter confusion or dissatisfaction.
Individuals and organisations can donate money to political parties, candidates and others for the purposes of election communication. Likewise, there is the ability to expend money on communication and campaigning activities. There are financial disclosure requirements in place for voters to have visibility of the financial dealings of political parties, candidates and others involved in the electoral process.
There are foreign donation rules in place to prevent Australian elections from being influenced by foreign money. Division 3A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 restricts foreign donations and sets out penalties. Further information is available via this guide.
Citizens of other nations can express interest in important issues in Australia, including our federal elections, and may provide commentary. Foreign influence activities are permitted in Australia when conducted in an open and transparent manner and in a way that is respectful to our people, society and democratic systems. This can include diplomatic activities, political lobbying, communication activities, disbursements and cultural diplomacy.
The Department of Home Affairs explains the difference between foreign influence and foreign interference in its ‘Countering Foreign Interference in Australia: Working towards a more secure Australia’ publication. Foreign interference is activities carried out by, on behalf of, are directed or subsidised by, or are undertaken in active collaboration with, a foreign power and either involves:
Foreign interference is a criminal offence under Australian law. For more information about Australia’s approach to countering foreign interference, visit the Department of Home Affairs Countering foreign interference webpage.
Australian law requires individuals or entities to register certain activities undertaken in Australia on behalf of a foreign principal, for the purposes of political or governmental influence. Further information about this can be found on the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme website.
There are foreign donation rules in place to prevent Australian elections from being influenced by foreign money. Division 3A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 restricts foreign donations and sets out penalties. Further information is available via this guide.
The Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce (the Taskforce) is constituted by relevant agencies across Federal Government, working together to provide information and advice to the Electoral Commissioner on matters that may compromise the real or perceived integrity of federal electoral events, including elections, by-elections and referendums
Each represented agency has capabilities and expertise relevant to the assessment and remediation of threats to the integrity of Australia’s electoral systems and processes. These threats may be realised through various vectors, including a cyber-or physical security incident, foreign interference or the spread of mis/disinformation. These agencies undertake this work as part of their existing legislated remits.
More information about the Taskforce can be found here.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.