RICHMOND (NSW) (ALP 4.1%)
Justine Elliot (ALP) vs Mandy Nolan (GRN) based on candidate exclusion order
(2019 3CP NAT 41.7 ALP 34.7 GRN 23.6)
Labor is second on primaries and needs to stay ahead of Nationals or overtake Greens (after preferences) to make top three.
Large Liberal Democrat primary may cause Nationals to make final two.
Elliot expected to move into lead on prepolls and retain.
(Elliot has claimed victory - awaiting confirmation of result.)
A raft of electoral reform legislation hit parliament this week. Included in the collection of Bills introduced by Assistant Minister for Electoral Affairs Ben Morton are:
* The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Counting, Scrutiny and Operational Efficiencies) Bill 2021 which, if passed, allows the AEC to commence sorting prepoll votes at 4 pm, sets the prepoll period before polling day at 12 days, increases the number of scrutineers allowed for Senate elections and makes various changes to postal vote procedures.
* The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021 which, if passed, alters requirements for disclosure by political campaigners, bringing them more into line with those for parties.
* The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Offences and Preventing Multiple Voting) Bill 2021 which, if passed, firstly allows for a voter to be required to cast a declaration vote in future if they are a suspected multiple voter. Secondly it clarifies that offences against electoral liberty may include "Violence, obscene or discriminatory abuse, property damage and harassment or stalking" in connection with an election and increases the penalties for breaches, including up to three years' jail.
