Senator the Hon Don Farrell

The Albanese Government welcomes the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) final report into the 2022 Federal Election.

Australia has an electoral system that is the envy of the modern world.

But our system is not perfect - it can and it should be strengthened not just to improve our democracy, but to protect it against future threat.

JSCEM has provided a broad set of recommendations for improving how the system operates, and how it engages with and supports voters.

Both the interim and final reports make clear that we must take action on money in politics.

Over the last decade we have seen billionaires repeatedly attempt to sway our elections, not through policy or participation, but through money and misinformation.

Labor has clear commitments to improve transparency and accountability across our electoral system.

I thank Chair Kate Thwaites and all committee members for their hard work across both reports, to provide a comprehensive list of recommendations aimed at strengthening our democracy.

The Government will consider all recommendations in depth, in both the interim and final reports, in preparation for the introduction of legislation.

Electoral reform should be undertaken in a consultative manner, and I look forward to continuing these conversations across the parliament.