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Australian Electoral Commission
File reference: 2007/615-2, Reg3804
The delegate of the Australian Electoral Commission determined that the application by Senator On-Line to change its registered name under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 should be accepted and Senator Online (Internet Voting Bills/Issues) be entered in the Register of Political Parties.
On 29 June 2010, the AEC received an application from Senator On-Line to change its registered name under the provisions of Part XI of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act). The new name sought was 'Senator Online (Internet Voting Bills/Issues)'.
The AEC conducted a series of tests usually undertaken as part of the initial consideration of an application and on 2 July 2010, the delegate of the AEC approved the advertisement of the Senator On-Line application.
The legal provisions relevant for an application to change the Register of Political Parties are in s4 and Part XI of the Electoral Act. An extract of the relevant provisions is available on the AEC website. The reader should consult this extract [PDF 63KB] at the link provided to understand the legal provisions being applied in the tests below.
The application satisfies the requirements in s134 of the Electoral Act, in that it was in writing, signed by three members of the party, stated the applicants' capacities and their street addresses and included the prescribed $500 application fee. The application meets all the technical elements required for an application to change a registered party's name.
The name 'Senator Online (Internet Voting Bills/Issues)' does not appear to be a name prohibited under s129(1) of the Electoral Act. It is not similar to any other registered or recognised political party name and does not breach any other provisions of the Electoral Act.
The application passes the names test.
The Senator On-Line application to change the party name was advertised in the Commonwealth Gazette and newspapers circulating generally in each State and Territory on 7 July 2010 to permit interested persons or organisations to lodge an objection. No objections were received.
Under s134(4) of the Electoral Act, the issue of writs on 19 July 2010 for federal elections meant that no further action could be taken on this application until the final return of all outstanding writs on 17 September 2010.
The application by Senator On-Line is approved and the party's name changed to Senator Online (Internet Voting Bills/Issues) in the Register of Political Parties.
Sue Sayer
Director Funding and Disclosure
Delegate of the Australian Electoral Commission
23 September 2010
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