Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2004A04142:body:0:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2004A04142
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 5157–7969

column in the Sheet and print the Sheet accordingly.

"(3) If, within 2 weeks after the commencement of this Part, there is forwarded to the Electoral Commissioner:

     (a)     an argument in support of the single member electorates system option, consisting of not more than 2,000 words, authorised by the Minister; or

     (b)     an argument in support of the other option, consisting of not more than 2,000 words, authorised by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives and the Leader of the Australian Democrats in the Parliament;

the Electoral Commissioner must, not later than 14 days before voting day, cause to be printed and to be posted to each elector, as nearly as practicable, a pamphlet containing the argument.

"(4) If both arguments are forwarded to the Electoral Commissioner in accordance with subsection (3), the Electoral Commissioner must:

   (a)     print both arguments in the same pamphlet; and

     (b)     print those arguments side by side in 2 vertical columns, so that the left-hand column is occupied by the argument in

     support of the option whose description occupies the left-hand column in the Referendum Options Description Sheet.

"(5) The Commonwealth and the Territory must not spend money in respect of the presentation of the argument in support of either of the options except in relation to:

    (a)     the preparation, printing and distribution of the Sheet and pamphlet referred to in this section, or the preparation and distribution of translations into other languages of material contained in that Sheet and pamphlet;

    (b)     the preparation and distribution of presentations of that material in forms suitable for the visually impaired;

    (c)     the provision by the Electoral Commission of other information relating to either of the options; or

    (d)     the salaries and allowances of members of the Parliament, of members of the staff of members of the Parliament, of members of the Legislative Assembly, of members of the staff of members of the Legislative Assembly, or of persons who are officers or employees within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1922.

Entitlement to vote

"34. (1) A person is entitled to vote at the referendum if he or she is entitled to vote at the election.

  "(2) A person must not vote more than once at the referendum.

Compulsory voting

  "35. (1) A person who:

  (a)     is entitled to vote at the referendum; and

    (b)     fails to vote at the referendum without a valid and sufficient reason for the failure;

is guilty of an offence punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not exceeding $50.

"(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an Antarctic elector or an eligible Territory overseas elector.

Ballot papers

"36. (1) The ballot papers are to be in the alternative