19 October 2015

"Two-meeting rule" doesn't apply to NSWALC Elections

In just under two weeks, eligible Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) members will vote in the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) elections. It's important that as many people as possible have their say by voting in these elections.

Only a big turnout on Saturday, 31 October will ensure Land Rights stays strong in New South Wales.

Some members of the community have raised the "two-meeting rule" as an issue that could impact their vote.

You can still vote in the NSWALC Election, even if you haven't attended 2 meetings of your LALC in the past 12 months. The "two-meeting rule" only applies to LALC board elections.

Similarly, there is some concern about people being fined if they don't vote in this election.

The NSWALC Election is different to the State and Federal elections.

You won't be fined. While voting in this election is not compulsory, turning out to vote gives you a say about the future of Land Rights and how decisions about land, culture and economic development affect our mob. So you should vote on Saturday, 31 October.

How to vote

There are two ways to vote

1)    In person on Saturday 31 October at a polling booth near you. There are polling places throughout NSW and in some instances you can vote across the border in Queensland and Victoria. Locations of polling booths are at http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election/polling_places and information about how to vote on the day is available at https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election/voting/voting_on_election_day

2)    If you can't vote on the day, you can cast a postal vote. But first you have to ask the Electoral Commission for a ballot paper before 23 October. Once you receive it, cast your vote and make sure you return it to the Commission before 31 October. Find out more at http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election/voting/postal_voting

In this year's Election, 46 candidates are standing across 9 regions in New South Wales. To find out who is running in the NSWALC Elections visit https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election/nominations

If you have any questions about your enrolment, contact your LALC.

Please check out our video about the NSWALC Election at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08vAfBRrf6w&feature=youtu.be

Make your vote count on Saturday, 31 October. 

Lesley Turner

Chief Executive Officer