Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01736:reg:21
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01736
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 21
Character Range: 16378–17749

21  Candidates' statements
 (1) Each candidate may give the returning officer a statement (which may include a biography) in support of the candidate's candidature.
 (2) The statement must:
 (a) be given with the candidate's nomination; and
 (b) not exceed 200 words.
 (3) Not later than 7 days after the close of nominations, the returning officer must publish the candidates' statements by:
 (a) placing the statements on the Corporation's internal website; or
 (b) sending the statements directly to each eligible voter by electronic means.
 (4) However, the returning officer may refuse to publish a candidate's statement if:
 (a) the statement does not comply with subsection (2); or
 (b) the returning officer believes the statement:
 (i) is false or misleading in a material particular; or
 (ii) may be defamatory.
 (5) If the returning officer refuses to publish a candidate's statement, the returning officer must notify the candidate in writing and give the candidate a reasonable opportunity to provide a replacement statement within 2 business days after the notice.
 (6) The candidates' statements must be published in the same order as the order of candidates on the ballot paper, as determined under section 26.
 (7) If a candidate does not provide a statement, the returning officer must advise of this fact in the publication of candidates' statements.