Legislative Council
By-election 2017
This information booklet is designed to assist intending candidates for Tasmanian Legislative Council elections.
There is also a supplement for the Pembroke by-election.
Nominations can be received after the writ is issued (4 October 2017).
It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that the nomination form and the $400 deposit are received by the returning officer (also the Commissioner for party nominations) before the close of nominations 12 noon Thursday 12 October 2017.
For the 2017 Legislative Council by-election, your nomination form and deposit can be lodged with the Returning Officer at the following location:
Tasmanian Electoral Commission office
Level 3, TasWater Building,
169 Main Road, Moonah
Individual (non-party) nomination
The non-party nomination form for individuals is used for nomination of an individual candidate. Following amendments to the Electoral Act in November 2015, these candidates can choose to have the word independent placed under their name on the ballot paper.
Nominated by a party
The party nomination form enables a registered party to nominate its candidates for a division.
For Tasmanian Parliamentary elections, campaign material must be authorised between the issue of the writ and the close of poll. Campaign material must not contain an image or name of another candidate without their consent. See the Candidate's Handbook for more details about these and other conditions that apply.
Electoral Commissioner's policy on electoral matter on the internet
For Legislative Council elections, advertising expenditure is capped and details must be provided in a return within 60 days of the result of the election being declared. See the Candidate's Handbook for more details.
The Electoral Act 2004 and other up-to-date Tasmanian Acts and Regulations can be accessed on-line at Tasmania's legislation online.
Under section 191(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 2004, all electoral matter published on the internet between the issue of the writ for an election and the close of poll at that election must contain the name and address of the responsible person at the end.
Address means a street address (not a post office box or an electronic address) at which the responsible person resides or can be readily contacted.
Responsible person means the person taking responsibility for causing electoral matter to be published.
Electoral matter means matter which is intended or likely to affect voting in an election.
The Electoral Commissioner recommends that candidates and other persons with websites (including ‘Facebook’ pages) containing electoral matter should ensure that the name and address of the responsible person appears on each page.
For example, an appropriate place to include authorisation on a website would be on a footer, or on ‘Facebook’ at the end of a post that contains electoral matter.
Services to help you have your say in the Pembroke Legislative Council by-election.
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