Media Release: Upper House Votes to Establish Electoral Matters Parliamentary Oversight Committee

Upper House Moves to Establish Electoral Matters Parliamentary Oversight Committee

23 May 2024

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb welcomed the Legislative Council vote today in support of her call for the establishment of a parliamentary Electoral Matters Committee.

“The Council voting in support of my proposed Joint House Electoral Matters Committee moves Tasmania one step closer to making our democracy more robust,” Ms Webb said.

“Hopefully Tasmania is on its way to joining the Federal, NSW and Victorian parliaments which already have established Committees which undertake reviews of the administration of their respective elections as a matter of routine.

“These post-election democracy health-checks provide opportunities for voters, candidates and other stakeholders to reflect on the election experience, raise any issues and makes suggestions for improvements.

“Tasmanians could shortly have the same opportunity commencing with the March state election and recent Upper House elections.”

Ms Webb thanked her Upper House colleagues for their thoughtful debate and support for this proposal. The next step is for the Lower House to consider the motion as passed by the Legislative Council.

“I have held positive discussions with MPs in the Lower House, and am hopeful that when that Chamber debates this motion it will seize this historic opportunity to establish this ground breaking democratic first for Tasmania.

“If the Assembly agrees to the proposed Joint Standing Committee, it will undertake a review of the administration and practices of Assembly and Upper House elections, beginning with those held this year, as well as any other electoral related matter referred to the Committee.”

View Meg Webb MLC’s Background Briefing Paper on the Proposed Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters here:

View below the text of the notice of motion tabled by Meg Webb MLC and supported by the Legislative Council: