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Australian Electoral Commission
A writ is a formal instruction to the AEC to run an election.
The writs for all House of Representatives elections are signed and issued by the Governor-General in accordance with the Australian Constitution and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. This is also the case for Senate elections for the ACT and NT.
The writs for the Senate elections for each State are issued by State Governors.
The AEC is required to deliver the election in accordance with writs and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
It is not required. Not by electoral laws or the Constitution.
It has previously been stated by some that the absence of the Great Seal of the reigning British Monarch means that election writs are invalid, and by extension the election itself is invalid. This is incorrect.
It is an offence under s 329 of the Electoral Act to publish information during the election period that is likely to mislead or deceive someone in relation to the casting of a vote.
As required by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the receipt of federal election writs is advertised by the AEC in newspapers circulating within each state and territory. The table below will display when these advertisements were placed.
| Writ | Newspaper |
Date published |
|---|---|---|
New South Wales |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
|
Queensland |
TBC |
TBC |
South Australia |
TBC |
TBC |
Australian Capital Territory |
TBC |
TBC |
Victoria |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
|
Western Australia |
TBC |
TBC |
Northern Territory |
TBC |
TBC |
Tasmania |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
TBC |
|
TBC |
TBC |
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.