{"id":"F2017L00690","name":"Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Council Elections) Regulations 2017","slug":"australian-film-television-and-radio-school-council-elections-regulations-2017","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":439211,"registerId":"F2017L00690-fast-fetch-1775955319859","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Council Elections) Regulations 2017","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nAustralian Film, Television and Radio School (Council Elections) Regulations 2017\n\nI, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Ret’d), Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, make the following regulations.\n\nDated 15 June 2017\n\nPeter Cosgrove\n\nGovernor‑General\n\nBy His Excellency’s Command\n\nMitch Fifield\n\nMinister for the Arts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\nDivision 1—Preliminary\n\n1 Name\n\n2 Commencement\n\n3 Authority\n\n4 Schedule 3\n\n5 Purpose of this instrument\n\n6 Outline of this instrument\n\nDivision 2—Definitions\n\n7 Definitions\n\nDivision 3—Means by which elections may be conducted\n\n8 Giving notices etc.\n\n9 Elections conducted electronically\n\nPart 2—Preparations for elections\n\n10 Returning officer\n\n11 Election dates\n\n12 Calling for nominations\n\n13 Nominations\n\nPart 3—Conduct of elections\n\nDivision 1—Elections without balloting\n\n14 Election without voting\n\nDivision 2—Balloting\n\nSubdivision A—Balloting\n\n15 Requirement to conduct ballot\n\n16 Ballot papers\n\n17 Manner of voting\n\n18 Ineligible votes not to be accepted\n\nSubdivision B—Scrutiny\n\n19 Scrutiny\n\n20 Scrutineers\n\n21 Objections to ballot papers\n\n22 Informal ballot papers\n\n23 Conduct of scrutiny\n\n24 Recount\n\nSubdivision C—Other provisions\n\n25 Secret ballot\n\nDivision 3—Results\n\n26 Notification of results\n\nPart 4—Transitional provisions\n\n27 Application of this instrument\n\nSchedule 1—Forms\n\nForm 1—Nomination form\n\nForm 2—Ballot paper\n\nSchedule 2—Procedure for counting votes\n\n1 Procedure for counting votes\n\nSchedule 3—Repeals\n\nAustralian Film, Television and Radio School (Elections) Regulations\n\n \n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\nDivision 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Council Elections) Regulations 2017.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n \n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. The whole of this instrument The day after this instrument is registered. 20 June 2017\n\n\nNote: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973.\n\n4  Schedule 3\n\n  Each instrument that is specified in Schedule 3 is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in that Schedule, and any other item in that Schedule has effect according to its terms.\n\n5  Purpose of this instrument\n\n  This instrument prescribes, for the purposes of paragraphs 8(1)(b) and (c) of the Act, the manner in which:\n\n (a) the staff members elect a staff member to the Council; or\n\n (b) the students of the School elect a student to the Council.\n\n6  Outline of this instrument\n\nElections for staff and student members of the Council are conducted by a returning officer, who is the Secretary to the Council (see section 10).\n\nUnder Part 2, the returning officer:\n\n (a) sets the dates for the election; and\n\n (b) calls for nominations; and\n\n (c) conducts a ballot (if necessary); and\n\n (d) publishes the result of the election.\n\nElections may be conducted electronically (see Division 3 of this Part).\n\nDivision 2—Definitions\n\n7  Definitions\n\nNote: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n(a) Council;\n\n(b) School.\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973.\n\nballot paper includes a ballot paper in electronic form.\n\ncontinuing candidate has the meaning given by Schedule 2.\n\nelection means an election:\n\n (a) for a staff member of the Council under paragraph 8(1)(b) of the Act; or\n\n (b) for a student member of the Council under paragraph 8(1)(c) of the Act.\n\nreturning officer for an election has the meaning given by section 10.\n\nstaff member has the meaning given by section 8 of the Act.\n\nDivision 3—Means by which elections may be conducted\n\n8  Giving notices etc.\n\nPublishing notices\n\n (1) If this instrument requires or permits the returning officer for an election to publish a notice, the returning officer must publish the notice by:\n\n (a) displaying the notice on a noticeboard at the School; or\n\n (b) publishing the notice on the School’s website; or\n\n (c) giving the notice to each person who is entitled to vote at the election.\n\nGiving notices etc.\n\n (2) If this instrument requires or permits the returning officer for an election to give a notice, ballot paper or other document to a person, the returning officer may give it to the person by:\n\n (a) sending it:\n\n (i) by messenger to a place at the School that the returning officer considers appropriate; or\n\n (ii) by post to an address that the returning officer considers appropriate; or\n\n (iii) by email; or\n\n (b) informing the person, using any of the means mentioned in paragraph (a), how the person may access the notice, ballot paper or other document using the internet.\n\nEmail\n\n (3) If this instrument requires or permits the returning officer for an election to send a notice, ballot paper or other document to a person by email, the returning officer may send it to the person at:\n\n (a) an official email address within the School’s email system that is provided to the person; or\n\n (b) another appropriate email address.\n\n9  Elections conducted electronically\n\n  The returning officer for an election may conduct all or part of the election by electronic means (including the internet), including by:\n\n (a) allowing electronic voting using a computer program or website and using ballot papers in electronic form; or\n\n (b) using a computer program to perform steps in the scrutiny of the poll.\n\nPart 2—Preparations for elections\n\n \n\n10  Returning officer\n\n (1) The returning officer for an election is the person for the time being occupying, or performing the duties of, the office of Secretary to the Council.\n\n (2) The returning officer for an election may, by writing, appoint deputies to assist the returning officer to conduct the election.\n\n11  Election dates\n\n (1) The returning officer for an election must determine the following:\n\n (a) the date of the election (subject to subsection (2));\n\n (b) the time, on the date of the election, at which the poll closes;\n\n (c) the date (which must be at least 3 weeks before the date of the election) and time at which nominations for the election close.\n\n (2) However, the Minister, instead of the returning officer, must determine the date of the election if the election is held to fill a casual vacancy as mentioned in subsection 9(2) or 10(3) of the Act.\n\n12  Calling for nominations\n\n (1) Not less than 5 weeks before the date of an election, the returning officer must:\n\n (a) prepare a written notice of the election; and\n\n (b) publish the notice in accordance with subsection 8(1).\n\n (2) The notice must:\n\n (a) state the number of persons to be elected; and\n\n (b) state the required qualifications for standing for the election; and\n\n (c) invite nominations of suitably‑qualified persons for election; and\n\n (d) state the form in which nominations must be made (see section 13); and\n\n (e) state the date and time at which nominations close (see section 11).\n\n13  Nominations\n\n  A nomination of a candidate for an election must be:\n\n (a) made by a person who is entitled to vote at the election (who could be the candidate); and\n\n (b) in the form set out in Form 1 in Schedule 1; and\n\n (c) signed by the nominator and the candidate; and\n\n (d) made before the close of nominations (see section 11).\n\nPart 3—Conduct of elections\n\nDivision 1—Elections without balloting\n\n14  Election without voting\n\n  Each person nominated in an election is elected if, when nominations close, the number of persons nominated does not exceed the number of persons to be elected.\n\nDivision 2—Balloting\n\nSubdivision A—Balloting\n\n15  Requirement to conduct ballot\n\n  The returning officer for an election must conduct a ballot in accordance with this Subdivision if, when nominations close, the number of persons nominated exceeds the number of persons to be elected.\n\n16  Ballot papers\n\n (1) Within 7 days after nominations close for an election and at least 14 days before the election, the returning officer must give to each person who is entitled to vote at the election:\n\n (a) a ballot paper; and\n\n (b) a notice:\n\n (i) indicating the manner in which the ballot paper must be returned to the returning officer; and\n\n (ii) specifying the date and time at which the poll closes; and\n\n (c) if a candidate has, before the close of nominations, supplied to the returning officer a statement not exceeding 150 words relating to his or her candidacy—a copy of that statement.\n\nNote: For the close of nominations, the date of the election and the close of poll, see section 11.\n\n (2) A ballot paper must be in the form set out in Form 2 in Schedule 1.\n\n (3) However, a ballot paper in electronic form is not required to include the direction to voter set out in Form 2, but may include such direction to voters as the returning officer considers appropriate.\n\n (4) The names of the candidates for the election must appear on the ballot paper in an order determined by the returning officer by lot.\n\nReplacement ballot papers\n\n (5) If a person entitled to vote at an election applies to the returning officer personally for a ballot paper:\n\n (a) after ballot papers for the election have been given under subsection (1); and\n\n (b) before the close of the poll;\n\nthe returning officer may give a ballot paper to the person personally or in accordance with subsection 8(2).\n\n17  Manner of voting\n\n  Each voter in an election must:\n\n (a) record his or her vote by inserting on the ballot paper, next to the names of so many candidates as he or she wishes to vote for, numbers in cardinal order commencing with 1 indicating the order of his or her preference for the candidates; and\n\n (b) return the ballot paper to the returning officer by the close of the poll.\n\nNote: For the close of the poll, see section 11.\n\n18  Ineligible votes not to be accepted\n\n  The returning officer for an election must not accept a ballot paper unless the returning officer is satisfied that the voter:\n\n (a) is entitled to vote at the election; and\n\n (b) has voted only once in the election.\n\nSubdivision B—Scrutiny\n\n19  Scrutiny\n\n  The result of the poll for an election must be ascertained by scrutiny.\n\n20  Scrutineers\n\n (1) A candidate at an election may appoint a scrutineer to represent him or her at the scrutiny.\n\n (2) The appointment of a scrutineer to represent a candidate must be made by notice in writing:\n\n (a) signed by the candidate; and\n\n (b) given to the returning officer before the scrutiny.\n\n21  Objections to ballot papers\n\n (1) If a scrutineer objects to a ballot paper in an election as being informal, the returning officer must decide whether to admit or reject the ballot paper.\n\n (2) This section does not prevent the returning officer from rejecting any ballot paper as being informal, even if the ballot paper is not objected to.\n\n22  Informal ballot papers\n\n (1) A ballot paper in an election is informal if:\n\n (a) it does not indicate the voter’s first preference for a candidate; or\n\n (b) it purports to indicate the voter’s first preference for 2 or more candidates.\n\n (2) A ballot paper is not informal by reason only that:\n\n (a) the same number has been indicated opposite the names of more than one candidate, in the order of the voter’s preference, after the voter’s first preference; or\n\n (b) a number has been omitted in the numerical sequence in the voter’s preference after his or her first preference;\n\nbut the ballot paper must be treated as if:\n\n (c) the numbers so repeated, and any higher number, had not been placed on the ballot paper; or\n\n (d) any number higher than the number so omitted had not been placed on the ballot paper.\n\n23  Conduct of scrutiny\n\n (1) The scrutiny of a poll of an election must be conducted in the following way:\n\n (a) it must commence as soon as practicable after the close of the poll;\n\n (b) all scrutineers and any persons approved by the returning officer may be present;\n\n (c) all the proceedings must be open to the inspection of the scrutineers;\n\n (d) the scrutiny may be adjourned from time to time as may be necessary until the counting of the votes is completed.\n\n (2) The returning officer must ascertain the result of the election in accordance with the procedure set out in Schedule 2.\n\n (3) If a computer program is used to perform steps in the scrutiny as mentioned in paragraph 9(b), the requirement of paragraph (1)(c) of this section is satisfied if the scrutineers are entitled to:\n\n (a) be present when the program provides the results of the steps to the returning officer; and\n\n (b) inspect the results.\n\n24  Recount\n\n  The returning officer for an election may recount the ballot papers received in the election.\n\nSubdivision C—Other provisions\n\n25  Secret ballot\n\n (1) The returning officer for an election must ensure that:\n\n (a) the ballot is secret; and\n\n (b) the identity of each person voting is kept separately from the person’s ballot paper.\n\n (2) The returning officer for an election, a deputy of the returning officer, or a scrutineer must not disclose how any voter has voted.\n\nDivision 3—Results\n\n26  Notification of results\n\n  The returning officer for an election must:\n\n (a) by notice in writing, inform the Council of the result of the election; and\n\n (b) publish the notice in accordance with subsection 8(1).\n\nPart 4—Transitional provisions\n\n \n\n27  Application of this instrument\n\n  This instrument applies to an election if the date of the election occurs on or after the day this instrument commences.\n\nSchedule 1—Forms\n\nNote: See sections 13 and 16.\n\nForm 1—Nomination form\n\n \n\nTHE AUSTRALIAN FILM, TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL\n\nNOMINATION FORM FOR ELECTION OF THE COUNCIL\n\n \n\n I, a [staff member][student of the School]* entitled to vote at the election, nominate ![](image.002.png) as a candidate for election as a [staff][student]* member of the Council.\n\nCandidate’s full name\n\nCandidate’s address\n\nNominator’s full name and address\n\nNominator’s signature\n\nDate of signature\n\nWitness’s signature\n\n I consent to act if elected\n\nCandidate’s signature\n\nDate of signature\n\nWitness’s signature\n\n* Delete whichever is inapplicable.\n\nForm 2—Ballot paper\n\n \n\nBALLOT PAPER\n\nTHE AUSTRALIAN FILM, TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL\n\nELECTION OF [STAFF][STUDENT]* MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE AUSTRALIAN FILM, TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL\n\nDirection to voter:\n\nTo record your vote on this ballot paper, place the number 1 in the square opposite to the name of the candidate for whom you wish to vote as your first preference. You may place the numbers 2, 3, 4 (and so on, as the case requires) in the squares opposite to the names of so many of the remaining candidates as you wish, so as to indicate the order of your preference for them.\n\nWhen you have recorded your vote, return the ballot paper to the returning officer. The ballot paper must reach the returning officer on or before ..................................................\n\nCANDIDATES\n\n \n\n□....................................................................\n\n□....................................................................\n\n□....................................................................\n\n* Delete whichever is inapplicable.\n\nSchedule 2—Procedure for counting votes\n\nNote: See subsection 23(2).\n\n  \n\n \n\n1  Procedure for counting votes\n\nDefinitions\n\n (1) In this instrument:\n\ncontinuing candidate means a candidate not already excluded from the count.\n\nInformal ballot papers\n\n (2) The returning officer must reject all informal ballot papers.\n\nFirst preferences\n\n (3) The returning officer must count the first preference votes given for each candidate on all unrejected ballot papers.\n\n (4) A candidate is elected if the candidate has received more than half of the total number of first preference votes.\n\n (5) If 2 candidates have both received half of the total number of first preference votes, the returning officer must decide by lot which candidate is elected.\n\nExcluding, and transferring votes of, unelected candidates\n\n (6) If no candidate is elected under subclause (4) or (5):\n\n (a) the candidate who has the fewest votes must be excluded; and\n\n (b) the returning officer must transfer the whole of his or her ballot papers to the continuing candidates next in order of the voters’ available preferences.\n\n (7) If:\n\n (a) on any count, 2 or more candidates have an equal number of votes; and\n\n (b) one of them must be excluded;\n\nthe returning officer must decide by lot which will be excluded.\n\n (8) A continuing candidate is elected if, as a result of the transfer of votes to the continuing candidate at any stage of the scrutiny, the continuing candidate has received more than half of the votes remaining in the count.\n\n (9) If, as a result of the transfer of votes at any stage of the scrutiny, 2 continuing candidates have both received half of the votes remaining in the count, the returning officer must decide by lot which candidate is elected.\n\n (10) If no continuing candidate is elected under subclause (8) or (9), the returning officer must repeat the process of excluding the candidate with the fewest votes and the transferring of ballot papers containing those votes to the continuing candidates until a continuing candidate is elected under subclause (8) or (9).\n\nEarly exhaustion of ballot papers\n\n (11) A ballot paper must be treated as being finally dealt with if, on a transfer, it is found that the ballot paper:\n\n (a) does not show a number indicating the voter’s next preference opposite to the name of a candidate who has not already been excluded; or\n\n (b) shows the same number as the voter’s next preference opposite to the names of 2 or more candidates; or\n\n (c) omits to indicate the number of the voter’s next preference in the numerical sequence of the order of the voter’s preference.\n\nSchedule 3—Repeals\n\n \n\nAustralian Film, Television and Radio School (Elections) Regulations\n\n1  The whole of the regulations\n\nRepeal the regulations.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument expressly prescribes the manner of staff and student Council elections under paragraphs 8(1)(b) and (c) of the Act (s5) and applies to elections on or after commencement (s27). It repeals the previous Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Elections) Regulations (Schedule 3) but does not expand or narrow the classes of elections covered by the Act; it replaces prior procedural rules with the current procedures set out in this instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Preferential counting and transfers under Schedule 2 (count first preferences, exclude lowest, transfer papers until a candidate has >50%) — procedural complexity in counting and exhausted papers.","Permitted electronic conduct (s9): allows electronic voting and use of computer programs for scrutiny, requiring technical safeguards and auditability.","Discretion of returning officer (s10, s11, s16(4), s8(2)): selects dates, orders candidates by lot, appoints deputies, determines methods of notice and delivery — operational discretion that affects implementation.","Strict timelines and notice rules (s11(1)(c), s12(1), s16(1)): fixed minimum periods for nominations, distribution of ballot papers and close of poll impose logistical constraints.","Ballot form and informal vote rules (s16, s17, s22, Schedule 2(2)): formal/informal definitions and treatment of repeated/omitted numbers create legal standards for rejecting votes.","Tie resolution by lot (Schedule 2(5),(7),(9)): introduces chance-based resolution where counts are equal, affecting predictability.","Scrutiny transparency and rights (s19–s23): presence and inspection rights for scrutineers, and rules for objections, require procedural fairness and record-keeping.","Secret ballot and privacy duties (s25): obligation to separate identity from ballot paper and prohibition on disclosure — compliance and data-handling implications.","Repeal of prior regulations (Schedule 3): replacement of earlier instrument requires transitional implementation (s27)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the rules for electing staff and student members to the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Council. The Secretary to the Council acts as returning officer and runs nominations, timetables, ballots (including electronic voting), vote counting (preferential transfers), scrutineers, secrecy and publication of results. It affects anyone eligible to vote or stand; the School (via the returning officer) bears the administrative and compliance burden of running elections to these specified rules."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: prescribing the manner of conducting elections for staff and student members of the AFTRS Council. It replaces earlier regulations without expanding beyond this specific electoral function."},"complexity_factors":["Short, focused instrument (27 sections plus schedules)","Only 7 defined terms in the interpretation section (section 7), with most definitions referring to the parent Act","Single purpose legislation with linear structure (preparation → conduct → results)","Minimal cross-referencing (primarily to the Australian Film, Television and Radio School Act 1973)","Straightforward conditional logic (if more candidates than positions → conduct ballot; if not → declare elected)","Preferential voting procedure in Schedule 2 is clearly explained step-by-step","No nested exceptions or complex deeming provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets the rules for electing one staff and one student representative to the AFTRS Council, appointing the Secretary as returning officer, modernising voting (including electronic ballots), and replacing the 1973 regulations. It establishes preferential, secret ballots with a majority-preference count and clear nomination timelines.\n\nIt affects AFTRS staff, students, candidates and the returning officer, ensuring fair, democratic representation on the School’s governing body."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/australian-film-television-and-radio-school-council-elections-regulations-2017","history":"/api/acts/australian-film-television-and-radio-school-council-elections-regulations-2017/history","analysis":"/api/acts/australian-film-television-and-radio-school-council-elections-regulations-2017/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/australian-film-television-and-radio-school-council-elections-regulations-2017/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/australian-film-television-and-radio-school-council-elections-regulations-2017/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/australian-film-television-and-radio-school-council-elections-regulations-2017/documents"}}