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Australian Electoral Commission
File reference: Reg4032a, 10/717
On 3 May 2011, a delegate of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) approved an application from the Animal Justice Party (the Party) for registration as a political party under the provisions of Part XI of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act).
The AEC received an application for registration from the Party on 9 July 2010.
The AEC delegate determined that the Party's application had passed its initial assessment on 19 November 2010. The application was advertised in the Commonwealth Gazette and 10 newspapers achieving coverage throughout Australia on 8 December 2010 as required by s132 of the Electoral Act. A period of one month was provided from that date for any person or organisation to lodge reasons why the Party should not be registered. Any such reasons must be lodged in writing and signed by the objector, who must also provide their street address. No such reasons were lodged.
On 9 March 2011 the AEC issued correspondence to the Animal Justice Party outlining the issues that had been identified with the party constitution. The issues raised were:
A follow-up meeting was held between representatives from the Animal Justice Party and the Chief Legal Officer on 15 March 2011 to clarify the issues with the application. As a result of the meeting the party agreed to rectify the existing issues and send the amendments to the AEC to be re-assessed against the requirements of the Electoral Act.
On 21 April 2011 a response was received from the Animal Justice Party which addressed each of the issues that had previously been raised with the party. The response was accompanied by the required evidence of the appointment of the secretary. The AEC assessed the information presented to it and determined that the new definition of the secretary in the party constitution met the requirements of the Electoral Act, that the party secretary had been validly appointed and the constitution had been amended in accordance with its terms.
The AEC assessed the application by the Party as meeting the requirements of the Electoral Act. No written reasons under s132 of the Act were lodged against the registration.
The AEC registered the Animal Justice Party.
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.