Luke Grant talks to The Hon James McGrath, Liberal Senator for Queensland & Chair of Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, who want to know if new technology has a role to play in Federal elections.

 

Senator McGrath says technology such as tablet devices have now become mainstream and a new generation of voters are more comfortable with swiping rather than scribbling.

 

‘Australian elections are still reliant on pencils and paper. Personally I don’t think electronic voting is the solution – but we do need to consider how the AEC can use new technology to improve service delivery.’

 

‘It’s not just about what happens in the polling booth. We need to find out how technology can help with the huge job of maintaining the electoral roll, processing information between polling centres – and even replacing electoral related snail mail.’

 

Submissions close today 20 September and the Committee expects to hold public hearings later this year.

Luke Grant talks to The Hon James McGrath, Liberal Senator for Queensland &amp; Chair of Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, who want to know if new technology has a role to play in Federal elections.
&nbsp;
Senator McGrath&nbsp;says technology such as tablet devices have now become mainstream and a new generation of voters are more comfortable with swiping rather than scribbling.
&nbsp;
&lsquo;Australian elections are still reliant on pencils and paper. Personally I don&rsquo;t think electronic voting is the solution &ndash; but we do need to consider how the AEC can use new technology to improve service delivery.&rsquo;
&nbsp;
&lsquo;It&rsquo;s not just about what happens in the polling booth. We need to find out how technology can help with the huge job of maintaining the electoral roll, processing information between polling centres &ndash; and even replacing electoral related snail mail.&rsquo;
&nbsp;
Submissions&nbsp;close today 20 September&nbsp;and the Committee expects to hold public hearings later this year.

Join Phil O'Neil from midnight to 5.30am Tuesday to Friday.

Join Phil O'Neil from midnight to 5.30am Tuesday to Friday.