Introduction

The AEC is internationally recognised for providing effective electoral assistance to electoral management bodies (EMBs) in the Indo-Pacific region, and for its contribution to the international knowledge base on best practice electoral administration.

Section 7(1)(fa) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 directs the AEC to provide international assistance in matters relating to elections and referendums. With endorsement from the Foreign Minister and funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the AEC’s electoral assistance programs are built on requests from partner EMBs.

In its dual character as an Australian Public Service agency and a professional and independent EMB, the AEC is uniquely placed to provide bespoke electoral support.

The AEC’s comparative advantage as a partner lies in its globally recognised standing as an exemplar EMB with unrivalled technical knowledge and a track record of high integrity election delivery.

The AEC is the secretariat for the Pacific Islands, Australia & New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) Network. The PIANZEA Network has been exclusively Australian Government-funded for over 20 years, bolstering the relationship between Australia and Pacific Island countries.

As one of the founding partners of the Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) program, the AEC contributes to a broader capacity development framework. The BRIDGE partners are jointly committed to developing, implementing and maintaining the most comprehensive curriculum and workshop package available to support elections overseas.

These efforts help ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and see the AEC making a key contribution to Australia’s national interest.

For over 30 years, the AEC has provided electoral assistance to other countries with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Operating in the Indo-Pacific, the AEC works directly with fellow electoral management bodies to support them to deliver elections and build their capability. To do this, the AEC draws on its technical knowledge and decades of experience delivering complex electoral events to provide tailored electoral support.

The AEC has also formed important relationships with key partners built on a shared vision to support the growth of democracy in the region. Working together, the AEC and its partners take a whole-of-electoral cycle approach, focusing on key activities that occur between elections, not just election day.

With trust, respect and professionalism, the AEC’s work promotes peaceful and inclusive societies in the Indo-Pacific region. The AEC is proud to support and nurture democracy in the region.