{"id":"nsw:act-1930-002","name":"Constitution Further Amendment (Referendum) Act 1930","slug":"constitution-further-amendment-referendum-act-1930","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"2 of 1930","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":111779,"registerId":"nsw-act-1930-002-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Constitution Further Amendment (Referendum) Act 1930](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1930-002).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 2\n\n2 (Repealed)","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Referendum on Scheduled Bill","content":"# Part 2 Referendum on Scheduled Bill\n\nPart 2 Referendum on Scheduled Bill","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 3\n\n3 (Repealed)","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Conduct of a referendum","content":"# Part 3 Conduct of a referendum\n\nPart 3 Conduct of a referendum","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Division 1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Interpretation and application of Electoral Act 2017","content":"## Division 1 Interpretation and application of Electoral Act 2017\n\nDivision 1 Interpretation and application of [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066)\n\n**pt 3, div 1, hdg:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (3); 2017 No 66, Sch 8.5 \\[1\\].","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 4 Definitions\n\n4 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:\n> > \n> > Referendum means the submission of a Bill to the electors in pursuance of the authority of any Act passed either before or after the commencement of this Part.\n> > \n> > Election means an election of Members of the Legislative Assembly.\n> > \n> > This Part includes the Second Schedule.\n> \n> > (2) (Repealed)\n> \n> **s 4:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (4).","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of Electoral Act 2017","content":"#### 5 Application of Electoral Act 2017\n\n5 Application of [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066)\n\n> > (1) Subject to this Part the provisions of the [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066), and any regulations or rules made under that Act, so far as they are applicable, apply to and in respect of a referendum as if the referendum were an election, and for that purpose references in any such provision are read as follows:\n> > \n> > > (a) a reference to a writ is to be read as a reference to a writ for a referendum,\n> > \n> > > (b) a reference to election day is to be read as a reference to the day fixed by a writ for a referendum for the taking of the votes of the electors,\n> > \n> > > (c) a reference to a nomination day is to be read:\n> > > \n> > > > (i) except as provided in subparagraph (ii), as a reference to the day that is 7 days after the day on which the writ for a referendum is issued, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) where the day fixed for the taking of the votes for the purposes of a referendum is the same as that for the taking of the poll for an election, as a reference to the day of nomination for that election,\n> > \n> > > (d) a reference to the casting of votes at an election is to be read as a reference to the taking of the votes of the electors for the purposes of a referendum,\n> > \n> > > (e) a reference to an election is to be read as a reference to a referendum,\n> > \n> > > (f) a reference to electoral matter or to electoral papers is to be read as a reference to corresponding matter or papers in relation to a referendum,\n> > \n> > > (g) a reference to a ballot paper (including the form of a ballot paper), ballot box, or other thing is to be read as a reference to a ballot paper (including the form of a ballot paper), ballot box, or corresponding thing in relation to a referendum,\n> > \n> > > (h) any reference to “this Act” or “this Part” is to be read as a reference to the provisions or Part, as the case requires, of the Act applicable to a referendum.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of a referendum:\n> > \n> > > (a) a ballot paper is not to be rejected as informal except for a reason specified in this Act or in the regulations made under this Act, and\n> > \n> > > (b) the vote of an elector is to be marked on the elector’s ballot paper in the manner directed by this Part, and\n> > \n> > > (c) on the adjournment of voting by any voting centre manager, the voting centre manager must, as soon as practicable, give notice of the adjournment to the Electoral Commissioner, and\n> > \n> > > (d) where any voting stands adjourned the election manager for a district must not transmit the election manager’s statement of the result of the voting in the district to the Electoral Commissioner until the voting so adjourned has been finally closed.\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 1933 No 1, sec 3 (b); 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (5). Subst 2017 No 66, Sch 8.5 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Division 2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Writ for the referendum","content":"## Division 2 Writ for the referendum\n\nDivision 2 Writ for the referendum","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Issue of writ for a referendum","content":"#### 6 Issue of writ for a referendum\n\n6 Issue of writ for a referendum\n\n> Where any Bill is to be submitted to a referendum, a writ for the referendum may be issued by the Governor.\n> \n> The writ shall be directed to the Electoral Commissioner.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Form of writ etc","content":"#### 7 Form of writ etc\n\n7 Form of writ etc\n\n> > (1) The writ may be in or to the effect of the Form A in the Second Schedule and shall appoint a day for taking the votes of the electors, and a day for the return of the writ.\n> \n> > (2) The day appointed for taking the votes of the electors shall be a Saturday, and shall be not later than the fortieth day from the date of the issue of the writ.\n> \n> > (3) The day appointed for the taking of the votes of the electors on the Constitution (Fixed Term Parliaments) Amendment Bill 1991 (or, if that Bill is re-introduced into the Legislative Assembly in 1992 with or without amendment, that Bill) shall be no later than the day named for the taking of the poll in the next general election (within the meaning of the [Constitution (Fixed Term Parliaments) Special Provisions Act 1991](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1991-070)).\n> \n> **s 7:** Am 1991 No 70, sec 10.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Statement of proposed Bill","content":"#### 8 Statement of proposed Bill\n\n8 Statement of proposed Bill\n\n> The Governor may cause to be attached to the writ a copy of the Bill, or a copy of a statement setting out:\n> \n> > (a) the text of the Bill,\n> \n> > (b) the text of the particular provisions (if any) of any Act proposed to be textually altered by the Bill, and the textual alterations proposed to be made therein.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duties of Electoral Commissioner upon receipt of writ","content":"#### 9 Duties of Electoral Commissioner upon receipt of writ\n\n9 Duties of Electoral Commissioner upon receipt of writ\n\n> The Electoral Commissioner shall forthwith after the receipt of the writ:\n> \n> > (a) indorse on the writ the date of receipt by the Electoral Commissioner,\n> \n> > (b) cause to be inserted in the Gazette and in two or more newspapers circulating in the State a notification of the receipt of the writ, and of the days appointed for the taking of the votes of the electors and for the return of the writ,\n> \n> > (c) cause a copy of the Bill or of the statement (if any) attached to the writ to be exhibited at each place at which sittings of the Local Court are required to be held,\n> \n> > (d) forward a copy of the writ and of the proposed Bill, or of the statement (if any) attached to the writ, to the returning officer for each electoral district.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 1999 No 31, Sch 4.15; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.16.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Electors who may be admitted to vote at referendum","content":"#### 10 Electors who may be admitted to vote at referendum\n\n10 Electors who may be admitted to vote at referendum\n\n> > (1) At a referendum only those electors who would be entitled to vote if the referendum were an election shall be admitted to vote.\n> \n> > (2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to entitle any person who is disqualified from voting to vote.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"Division 3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Voting at the referendum","content":"## Division 3 Voting at the referendum\n\nDivision 3 Voting at the referendum","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Voting on same day","content":"#### 11 Voting on same day\n\n11 Voting on same day\n\n> The voting at the referendum shall, subject to this Part, be taken on the day appointed by the writ for taking the votes of the electors.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Polling places","content":"#### 12 Polling places\n\n12 Polling places\n\n> The polling places and subdivisions appointed and established under the laws for the time being in force relating to elections shall be polling places and subdivisions for the purposes of the referendum.\n> \n> **s 12:** Am 1933 No 1, sec 3 (c).","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"One vote only","content":"#### 13 One vote only\n\n13 One vote only\n\n> Each elector shall vote only once at any referendum.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Voting to be by ballot","content":"#### 14 Voting to be by ballot\n\n14 Voting to be by ballot\n\n> > (1) The voting at the referendum shall be by ballot.\n> \n> > (2) Each elector shall mark his or her vote on the ballot-paper:\n> > \n> > > (a) if the elector approves of the Bill—by placing a tick in the square opposite the word “YES”, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if the elector does not approve of the Bill—by placing a tick in the square opposite the word “NO”.\n> \n> **s 14:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (6); 1981 No 97, Sch 1 (1).","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Form of ballot-papers","content":"#### 15 Form of ballot-papers\n\n15 Form of ballot-papers\n\n> > (1) Except as provided in subsection (5), the ballot-papers to be used at a referendum shall be:\n> > \n> > > (a) except as provided in paragraph (b), in or to the effect of Form B in the Second Schedule, and\n> > \n> > > (b) in the case of ballot-papers to be used for postal voting, in or to the effect of Form D in the Second Schedule.\n> \n> > (2)–(4) (Repealed)\n> \n> > (5) Where two or more referendums are held on the same day, it shall not be necessary for the forms of ballot-paper for each referendum to be on separate pieces of paper, but two or more forms of ballot-paper which may be used by any one elector may be on one piece of paper in or to the effect of Form E in the Second Schedule, in which case it shall not be necessary for the signature or initials of the returning officer or deputy to appear more than once on the piece of paper, and the presence of any mark or writing on the piece of paper by which the voter can be identified shall render informal all the forms of ballot-paper and votes appearing on the piece of paper, but any other ground of informality shall only apply to the particular ballot-paper and vote to which it relates, and shall not affect the validity of any other ballot-paper or vote.\n> \n> **s 15:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (7).","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Simultaneous poll for referendum and election","content":"#### 16 Simultaneous poll for referendum and election\n\n16 Simultaneous poll for referendum and election\n\n> Where the day fixed for the taking of the votes for the purposes of a referendum is the same as that fixed for the taking of the poll at an election:\n> \n> > (a) an application for a postal vote certificate and postal ballot-paper or an application or request to vote before polling-day made in respect of the election is a corresponding application or request, as the case may require, in respect of the referendum,\n> \n> > (b) a declaration or certificate which enables an elector to vote under any provision of the [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066) at the election enables the elector to vote under the corresponding provision at the referendum,\n> \n> > (c) the answers by a person claiming to vote at the election, put to the person pursuant to the [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066), may be accepted as sufficient to enable the person to vote at the referendum if they are satisfactory as regards the election,\n> \n> > (d) the ballot-papers used for the referendum shall be of a different colour from those used for the election,\n> \n> > (e) a ballot-paper shall not be issued to a person for the referendum unless a ballot-paper is issued to that person for the election,\n> \n> > (f) a ballot-paper used at the referendum shall, if it is required to be placed in an envelope by a voter, be placed in the same envelope as the ballot-paper used at the election,\n> \n> > (g) the copy of the printed roll and the certified copies of rolls in force provided for the purposes of the election shall be used for the purposes of the referendum,\n> \n> > (h) the same polling-booths and ballot-boxes shall be used for the purposes of the referendum and the election, and\n> \n> > (i) a reference in section 207 (Offence of failing to vote) of the [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066) to an election is taken to be a reference to the election and the referendum, and the Electoral Commissioner is not, under section 259 (Penalty notices for offence of failing to vote) of that Act, to send more than one penalty notice to the same elector.\n> \n> **s 16:** Subst 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (8). Am 1981 No 97, Sch 1 (2); 2017 No 66, Sch 8.5 \\[3\\] \\[4\\].","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 17\n\n17, 18 (Repealed)","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"Division 4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Proceedings after close of poll","content":"## Division 4 Proceedings after close of poll\n\nDivision 4 Proceedings after close of poll","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conduct of scrutiny","content":"#### 19 Conduct of scrutiny\n\n19 Conduct of scrutiny\n\n> As soon as is practicable after the close of the poll the returning officer and every deputy at the polling place at which each presides shall, in the presence and subject to the inspection of the poll clerks (if any), but of no other persons, open the ballot-box and proceed to count the number of votes given in favour of the Bill and the number of votes given not in favour of the Bill.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Informal ballot-papers","content":"#### 20 Informal ballot-papers\n\n20 Informal ballot-papers\n\n> > (1) A ballot-paper (including a postal voter’s ballot-paper and an absent voter’s ballot-paper) shall be informal if:\n> > \n> > > (a) it is not signed or initialled or does not bear a mark as required by the [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066) in respect of ballot-papers for an election,\n> > \n> > > (b) it has upon it any mark or writing not authorised by this Part to be put upon it, which, in the opinion of the returning officer, will enable any person to identify the voter, or\n> > \n> > > (c) the voter has failed to mark his or her vote in the manner directed on the ballot-paper.\n> \n> > (2) Informal ballot-papers shall be rejected at the scrutiny.\n> \n> **s 20:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (9); 1981 No 97, Sch 1 (3).","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Saving of informality","content":"#### 21 Saving of informality\n\n21 Saving of informality\n\n> > (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, a ballot-paper shall not, by reason of any mark or writing thereon that is not authorised or required by this Act, be rejected as informal if, in the opinion of the returning officer, the voter has, by some mark or writing, clearly indicated his or her intention on the ballot-paper.\n> \n> > (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, a ballot-paper shall not be rejected as informal by reason only that the voter has marked his or her vote by:\n> > \n> > > (a) placing a cross in a square and not placing any mark or writing in the other square, or\n> > \n> > > (b) placing the number “1” in a square and not placing any mark or writing (except the number “2”) in the other square,\n> > \n> > but the ballot-paper shall be treated as if the cross or the number “1”, as the case may be, were a tick.\n> \n> **s 21:** Subst 1981 No 97, Sch 1 (4).","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duties of deputy","content":"#### 22 Duties of deputy\n\n22 Duties of deputy\n\n> Immediately after ascertaining the total number of votes given in favour of the Bill, and the total number of votes given not in favour of the Bill, each deputy shall make up:\n> \n> > (a) in one parcel, the ballot-papers which have been used in voting at the deputy’s polling-booth during the referendum,\n> \n> > (b) in a second separate parcel, the ballot-papers which have remained unused thereat,\n> \n> > (c) in a third separate parcel, the certified copies of rolls supplied to the said deputy, signed by the deputy, and all books, rolls, and papers kept or used by the deputy during the polling,\n> \n> and shall seal up the said several parcels; and shall endorse the same severally with a description of the contents thereof, and with the name of the district and polling place, and the date of the polling; and sign with the deputy’s name the said endorsement; and shall transmit the said parcels to the returning officer.","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Statement of result, account of ballot-papers etc","content":"#### 23 Statement of result, account of ballot-papers etc\n\n23 Statement of result, account of ballot-papers etc\n\n> Each deputy shall, together with the parcels aforesaid, transmit to the returning officer a statement setting out the total number of votes given in favour of the Bill, and the total number of votes given not in favour of the Bill, and also an account in which such deputy shall charge himself or herself with the number of ballot-papers originally delivered to the deputy, and the number (if any) written out by the deputy, specifying therein the number thereof delivered to and used by voters and the number not so delivered or left unused; and every such statement and account respectively shall be verified by the signatures of the said deputy and the poll clerk (if any).","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Returning officers’ parcels","content":"#### 24 Returning officers’ parcels\n\n24 Returning officers’ parcels\n\n> The returning officer shall, in respect of the polling booth at which the returning officer personally has presided, make up in separate parcels in like manner as is herein required of deputy returning officers, all ballot-papers used or unused, and all books, rolls, and paper kept or used by the returning officer at such polling booth; and shall seal up and endorse in like manner as aforesaid the several parcels; and shall also make out in respect of the said booth the like statement as is herein required in the case of deputy returning officers, which said statement shall be verified by the signatures of the returning officer and the poll clerk (if any) in the manner aforesaid.","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Poll for the district","content":"#### 25 Poll for the district\n\n25 Poll for the district\n\n> > (1) The returning officer shall, as soon as practicable after the close of the poll, with such assistance as the returning officer may deem necessary, proceed to count the votes given on all ballot-papers (not rejected as informal), including postal and absent voters’ ballot-papers, used in connection with the poll for the returning officer’s district.\n> > \n> > The returning officer shall as soon as is practicable after the count has been completed prepare a statement certifying in relation to the votes given at all the polling places in or for that district:\n> > \n> > > (a) the number of votes given in favour of the Bill,\n> > \n> > > (b) the number of votes given not in favour of the Bill,\n> > \n> > > (c) the number of ballot-papers rejected as informal,\n> > \n> > and shall transmit the statement to the Electoral Commissioner.\n> \n> > (2) It shall be permissible for the returning officer to accept information as to the votes polled at Lord Howe Island which is transmitted to the returning officer by cable or wireless and which the returning officer is satisfied is authentic in lieu of the statement referred to in section 23.","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Recount","content":"#### 26 Recount\n\n26 Recount\n\n> > (1) At any time before indorsing the writ the Electoral Commissioner may, if the Electoral Commissioner thinks fit (and shall, if so directed by the Governor), direct the returning officer for any district to make a recount of the ballot-papers contained in any parcel relating to the returning officer’s district.\n> \n> > (2) The officer conducting a recount shall have the same powers as if the recount were the scrutiny, and may reverse any decision in relation to the scrutiny as to the allowance or admission or disallowance or rejection of any ballot-paper.","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"Division 5","sectionType":"division","heading":"Return of writ","content":"## Division 5 Return of writ\n\nDivision 5 Return of writ","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Return of writ","content":"#### 27 Return of writ\n\n27 Return of writ\n\n> > (1) The Electoral Commissioner shall, after the Electoral Commissioner has received from the returning officer of each electoral district the statement referred to in section 25, endorse on the writ a statement showing as regards each electorate and as regards the whole State:\n> > \n> > > (a) the number of votes given in favour of the Bill,\n> > \n> > > (b) the number of votes given not in favour of the Bill,\n> > \n> > > (c) the number of ballot-papers rejected as informal,\n> > \n> > and shall sign the statement and shall return the writ with the statement indorsed thereon to the Governor.\n> \n> > (2) The Electoral Commissioner shall cause a copy of the statement to be published in the Gazette, and the statement so published shall, subject to this Act, be conclusive evidence of the result of the referendum.","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"Division 6","sectionType":"division","heading":"Disputed returns","content":"## Division 6 Disputed returns\n\nDivision 6 Disputed returns","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Reference to Supreme Court","content":"#### 28 Reference to Supreme Court\n\n28 Reference to Supreme Court\n\n> > (1) Any question respecting the validity of a referendum, or of any return or statement showing the voting on any referendum, may be referred by resolution of the Legislative Council or of the Legislative Assembly, within 15 sitting days of the House making the reference after the publication in the Gazette of the copy of the statement signed by the Electoral Commissioner under section 27 (1), to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the question.\n> \n> > (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), sitting days shall be counted whether or not they occur during the same session.\n> \n> **s 28:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (10).","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Question","content":"#### 29 Question\n\n29 Question\n\n> Where any question is referred to the Supreme Court under this division, the President of the Legislative Council or the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (as the case may be) shall transmit to the Prothonotary a statement of the question upon which the determination of the court is desired.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Powers of the court","content":"#### 30 Powers of the court\n\n30 Powers of the court\n\n> The Supreme Court, in relation to a reference under this division, shall sit as in open court, and shall have the powers conferred by the [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066) on the Court of Disputed Returns, so far as they are applicable.\n> \n> **s 30:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (11); 2006 No 58, Sch 2.4; 2017 No 66, Sch 8.5 \\[3\\].","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"31","sectionType":"section","heading":"Electoral Commissioner","content":"#### 31 Electoral Commissioner\n\n31 Electoral Commissioner\n\n> The Electoral Commissioner shall be entitled and the Supreme Court may allow any other person to be represented and heard upon the hearing of the reference.","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Procedure","content":"#### 32 Procedure\n\n32 Procedure\n\n> The procedure in relation to a reference under this division shall be as prescribed by Rules of Court or in default of Rules of Court by the Supreme Court or a judge thereof.","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"33","sectionType":"section","heading":"Order to be sent to House affected","content":"#### 33 Order to be sent to House affected\n\n33 Order to be sent to House affected\n\n> After hearing and determination of any reference under this division the Prothonotary shall forthwith forward to the Clerk of the Parliaments or to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, as the case may be, a copy of the determination of the Supreme Court.","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"34","sectionType":"section","heading":"Immaterial errors not to vitiate referendum","content":"#### 34 Immaterial errors not to vitiate referendum\n\n34 Immaterial errors not to vitiate referendum\n\n> No referendum and no return or statement showing the voting on any referendum shall be avoided on account of any delay in relation to the taking of the votes of the electors or in relation to the making of any statement or return or on account of the absence or error of or omission by any officer which did not affect the result of the referendum:\n> \n> Provided that where any elector was, on account of the absence or error of or omission by any officer, prevented from voting at a referendum, the court shall not, for the purpose of determining whether the absence or error of or omission by the officer did or did not affect the result of the referendum, admit any evidence of the way in which the elector intended to vote.","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"Division 7","sectionType":"division","heading":"Regulations","content":"## Division 7 Regulations\n\nDivision 7 Regulations","sortOrder":45},{"sectionNumber":"35","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 35 Regulations\n\n35 Regulations\n\n> > (1) The Governor may make regulations not inconsistent with this Part prescribing all matters which are required to be prescribed or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Part.\n> \n> > (2) Form B, Form D, and Form E in the Second Schedule may, from time to time, be altered or modified by the regulations.\n> > \n> > If any of such forms is altered by the regulations any reference in this Part to that form shall be deemed to be a reference to that form as so altered.\n> \n> > (3) Where the time allowed to do any act is insufficient and an alteration or extension of such time and any alteration of dates consequent thereon is expedient, the regulations may declare that such alteration shall be made, and thereupon the same shall be made and take effect accordingly.\n> \n> > (4)–(6) (Repealed)\n> \n> **s 35:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (12); 1987 No 48, Sch 32.","sortOrder":46},{"sectionNumber":"Division 8","sectionType":"division","heading":"Offences","content":"## Division 8 Offences\n\nDivision 8 Offences","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"36","sectionType":"section","heading":"Construction of Division","content":"#### 36 Construction of Division\n\n36 Construction of Division\n\n> The provisions of this Division shall be construed as being in addition to such of the provisions of the [Electoral Act 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2017-066) as are applicable to a referendum.\n> \n> **s 36:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (13); 2017 No 66, Sch 8.5 \\[3\\].","sortOrder":48},{"sectionNumber":"37","sectionType":"section","heading":"Supply of meat, drink, entertainment etc","content":"#### 37 Supply of meat, drink, entertainment etc\n\n37 Supply of meat, drink, entertainment etc\n\n> Any person who, after the issue of a writ for a referendum and before the votes have been taken in pursuance thereof, supplies to an elector any meat, drink, or entertainment, or horse or carriage hire, with a view to influence the elector’s vote in connection with the referendum is guilty of an offence.\n> \n> Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 years, or both.\n> \n> **ss 37–40:** Am 1990 No 111, Sch 2.","sortOrder":49},{"sectionNumber":"38","sectionType":"section","heading":"Bribery","content":"#### 38 Bribery\n\n38 Bribery\n\n> Any person who gives, confers, or procures, or promises, or offers to give or confer, or to procure or attempt to procure, any money, property, or benefit of any kind, to, upon, or for any elector or any other person:\n> \n> > (a) in order to influence the elector in his or her vote in connection with a referendum, or\n> \n> > (b) in order to induce the elector to refrain from voting at a referendum, or\n> \n> > (c) in order to induce the elector to support or oppose any Bill submitted or to be submitted for the approval of the electors,\n> \n> is guilty of an offence.\n> \n> Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 years, or both.\n> \n> **ss 37–40:** Am 1990 No 111, Sch 2.","sortOrder":50},{"sectionNumber":"39","sectionType":"section","heading":"Receipt of bribe by elector","content":"#### 39 Receipt of bribe by elector\n\n39 Receipt of bribe by elector\n\n> Any elector who asks for, receives, or obtains, or agrees or attempts to receive or obtain any money, property, or benefit of any kind for himself or herself or any other person upon the understanding that the elector’s vote in connection with any referendum shall be influenced thereby, or shall be given in any particular manner, or that the elector will refrain from voting at any referendum, or that the elector will support or oppose any Bill submitted or to be submitted for the approval of the electors, is guilty of an offence.\n> \n> Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 years, or both.\n> \n> **ss 37–40:** Am 1990 No 111, Sch 2.","sortOrder":51},{"sectionNumber":"40","sectionType":"section","heading":"Undue influence","content":"#### 40 Undue influence\n\n40 Undue influence\n\n> Any person who:\n> \n> > (a) threatens, offers, or suggests any violence, injury, punishment, damage, loss, or disadvantage to an elector or any other person:\n> > \n> > > (i) in order to influence the elector in his or her vote in connection with a referendum, or\n> > \n> > > (ii) in order to induce the elector to refrain from voting at a referendum, or\n> > \n> > > (iii) in order to induce the elector to support or oppose any Bill submitted or to be submitted for the approval of the electors, or\n> \n> > (b) uses, causes, inflicts, or procures any violence, injury, punishment, damage, loss or disadvantage towards, to, or upon any elector or any other person, for or on account of any such vote, refraining from voting, support, or opposition,\n> \n> is guilty of an offence.\n> \n> Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 years, or both.\n> \n> **ss 37–40:** Am 1990 No 111, Sch 2.","sortOrder":52},{"sectionNumber":"41","sectionType":"section","heading":"Misleading advertisements etc","content":"#### 41 Misleading advertisements etc\n\n41 Misleading advertisements etc\n\n> > (1) Every person who:\n> > \n> > > (a) prints, publishes, or distributes any advertisement or document containing a representation of a ballot-paper, or any representation apparently intended to represent a ballot-paper, and having thereon any directions intended or likely to mislead or improperly interfere with any elector in or in relation to the casting of the elector’s vote at a referendum, or\n> > \n> > > (b) prints, publishes, or distributes any advertisement or document containing any untrue or incorrect statement intended or likely to mislead or improperly interfere with any elector in or in relation to the casting of the elector’s vote at a referendum,\n> > \n> > shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding 2 penalty units.\n> \n> > (2) This section shall not prevent the printing, publishing, or distributing of any advertisement or document (not otherwise illegal) which contains instructions how to vote in favour of or against any Bill submitted to the electors by a referendum, if those instructions are not intended or likely to mislead any elector in or in relation to the casting of the elector’s vote.\n> \n> **s 41:** Am 1993 No 47, Sch 1.","sortOrder":53},{"sectionNumber":"42","sectionType":"section","heading":"Misconduct at public meeting","content":"#### 42 Misconduct at public meeting\n\n42 Misconduct at public meeting\n\n> > (1) Any person who, at a public meeting to which this section applies, acts in a disorderly manner for the purpose of preventing the transaction of the business for which the meeting is held shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding 0.1 penalty unit.\n> \n> > (2) This section applies to any lawful public meeting held in relation to a referendum between the date of the issue of the writ for the referendum and the date of the return of the writ.\n> \n> **s 42:** Am 1993 No 47, Sch 1.","sortOrder":54},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Legislative Council elections","content":"# Part 4 Legislative Council elections\n\nPart 4 Legislative Council elections","sortOrder":55},{"sectionNumber":"43","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 43\n\n43–75 (Repealed)","sortOrder":56},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Retention of privileges","content":"# Part 5 Retention of privileges\n\nPart 5 Retention of privileges","sortOrder":58},{"sectionNumber":"76","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 76\n\n76, 77 (Repealed)","sortOrder":59},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 1\n\nFirst Schedule (Repealed)\n\n**First Sch:** Rep 1933 No 1, sec 3 (d).","sortOrder":61},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 2\n\nSecond Schedule\n\nForm A\n\n(Section 7)\n\n*Writ for a referendum*\n\nHIS MAJESTY THE KING\n\nTo the Electoral Commissioner for New South Wales, and to all others whom it may concern:\n\nGREETING:\n\nWe command you that you cause a Bill entitled \\[*here set out the title of the Bill and add “a copy of which is attached hereto” or “a statement of which is attached hereto” as the case requires*\\] to be submitted, according to law to the electors qualified to vote for the election of Members of the Legislative Assembly: And we appoint the following dates for the purposes of the said submission:\n\n> 1. For taking the votes of the electors the day of 19 .\n\n> 2. For the return of the writ on or before the day of 19 .\n\nWitness \\[*here insert Governor’s title and the date*\\]\n\nGovernor.\n\nBy His Excellency’s Command.\n\nForm B\n\n(Section 15 (1))\n\nBALLOT-PAPER\n\nCONSTITUTION FURTHER AMENDMENT (REFERENDUM) ACT 1930\n\nElectoral District for which voter is enrolled: ....................\n\n*Directions to Voter*\n\nYou should mark your vote as follows:\n\n> If you approve of the Bill you should place a tick \\[✔\\] in the square opposite the word “YES”.\n\n> If you do not approve of the Bill you should place a tick \\[✔\\] in the square opposite the word “NO”.\n\n  \nSubmission to the Electors of the following Bill:  \n\nDO YOU APPROVE of the Bill entitled *(Here set out the title of the Bill)*?\n\n\\[ \\] **YES**\n\n\\[ \\] **NO**\n\nForm C\n\n(Repealed)\n\nForm D\n\n(Section 15 (1))\n\nPOSTAL BALLOT-PAPER\n\nCONSTITUTION FURTHER AMENDMENT (REFERENDUM) ACT 1930\n\nElectoral District for which voter is enrolled: ....................\n\n*Directions to Voter*\n\nYou must not mark your vote hereon until you have first exhibited the ballot-paper (in blank) to the authorised witness.\n\nYou should mark your vote as follows:\n\n> If you approve of the Bill you should place a tick \\[✔\\] in the square opposite the word “YES”.\n\n> If you do not approve of the Bill you should place a tick \\[✔\\] in the square opposite the word “NO”.\n\nYou should then fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen and place it in the envelope provided and fasten the envelope.\n\n  \nSubmission to the Electors of the following Bill:  \n\nDO YOU APPROVE of the Bill entitled *(Here set out the title of the Bill)*?\n\n\\[ \\] **YES**\n\n\\[ \\] **NO**\n\nForm E\n\n(Section 15 (5))\n\nBALLOT-PAPER\n\nCONSTITUTION FURTHER AMENDMENT (REFERENDUM) ACT 1930\n\nElectoral District for which voter is enrolled: ....................\n\n*Directions to Voter*\n\nYou should mark your vote in relation to EACH Bill as follows:\n\n> If you approve of the Bill you should place a tick \\[✔\\] in the square opposite the word “YES”.\n\n> If you do not approve of the Bill you should place a tick \\[✔\\] in the square opposite the word “NO”.\n\n  \nSubmission to the Electors of the following Bills:  \n\n**QUESTION 1**\n\nDO YOU APPROVE of the Bill entitled *(Here set out the title of the Bill)*?\n\n\\[ \\] **YES**\n\n\\[ \\] **NO**\n\n**QUESTION 2**\n\nDO YOU APPROVE of the Bill entitled *(Here set out the title of the Bill)*?\n\n\\[ \\] **YES**\n\n\\[ \\] **NO**\n\n(Additional questions (numbered consecutively) in similar form may be included in this form.)\n\n(If this form is to be used as a postal ballot-paper, the form shall include the additional directions to voter as in Form D and the heading to the form shall be “POSTAL BALLOT-PAPER”.)\n\n**Second Sch:** Am 1978 No 45, Sch 1 (14); 1981 No 97, Sch 1 (5).","sortOrder":62},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 3","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# Schedule 3\n\nThird Schedule (Repealed)\n\n**Third Sch:** Rep 1933 No 5, First Sch.","sortOrder":63},{"sectionNumber":"sch","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# sch\n\nAppendix (Repealed)\n\n**Appendix:** Rep 1933 No 5, First Sch.","sortOrder":64}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Insufficient legislative text was provided to assess whether the scope of the Act changed from its original intent. The document contains only website navigation elements and version history metadata, not the substantive provisions of the Act. No determination can be made about scope drift."},"complexity_factors":["The Act deals with constitutional law, which is inherently more complex than ordinary legislation","Multiple amendment rounds (1999, 2006, 2009, 2018) suggest layered changes that require tracking across versions","Constitutional referendum rules can involve technical requirements around voting thresholds, timing, and procedure","However, the actual legislative text was not provided — the document is almost entirely website navigation metadata, severely limiting analysis","The score is kept low because referendum procedures, while constitutionally significant, are generally straightforward in concept for the average reader"],"plain_english_summary":"## Constitution Further Amendment (Referendum) Act 1930 (NSW)\n\nThis is a **New South Wales state law** from 1930 that made changes to the NSW Constitution (the foundational rulebook for how the state government works). As its name suggests, it dealt with **referendum procedures** — the process by which NSW citizens get to vote directly on proposed changes to the constitution.\n\n**Who does this affect?**\nIn a broad sense, all NSW residents — since constitutional rules govern how the state is run. However, in practice, this law is largely a technical, behind-the-scenes piece of constitutional machinery rather than something that directly affects everyday life.\n\n**What does it actually do?**\nThe text provided is almost entirely website navigation and administrative metadata — it does **not include the actual legislative content** (the specific sections and clauses of the Act). Based on what is available, we can say:\n- It is still **in force** as of 2026\n- It has been **updated several times** (1999, 2006, 2009, 2018), suggesting its provisions have been amended over the decades\n- It falls under the responsibility of the **Premier** of NSW\n- It is a constitutional amendment law, meaning it modified the rules around how NSW citizens vote in referendums to change the state constitution\n\n**Why does it matter?**\nReferendum rules determine whether ordinary people get a meaningful say in constitutional change. The rules around who can call a referendum, how votes are counted, and what majority is needed are fundamental to democracy. This Act shaped those rules in NSW.\n\n> ⚠️ **Note:** The document provided contains almost no actual legislative text — only website interface elements and version metadata. A full analysis of specific provisions is not possible from this content alone."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1930 Act appears to have been broader, containing Parts 4 and 5 dealing with Legislative Council elections and retention of privileges (sections 43–77). These were entirely repealed in 1933, leaving only the referendum machinery provisions. The Act has therefore narrowed significantly from its original scope, becoming essentially a dedicated referendum procedure statute rather than a broader constitutional amendment and electoral law."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to the Electoral Act 2017, requiring readers to understand both statutes simultaneously","Multiple repealed sections and Parts (ss 2, 3, 17, 18, 43–77, and entire Parts 4 and 5) creating a fragmented legislative landscape","Conditional logic for simultaneous elections (s 16) with 9 separate sub-rules for when referendums and elections coincide","Nested exceptions in ballot paper formality rules (ss 20–21), including a 'savings' provision that overrides general informality rules","Historical amendment layers visible in the text (amendments from 1933, 1978, 1981, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2017) indicating evolutionary complexity","Specific transitional provisions for particular historical bills (s 7(3) references the Constitution (Fixed Term Parliaments) Amendment Bill 1991)","Multiple ballot paper forms (Forms A, B, D, E) with conditional application depending on voting method and whether multiple referendums are held simultaneously"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a New South Wales law from 1930 that sets out the rules for holding referendums (public votes) on proposed changes to the state's Constitution.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Establishes the process** for running a constitutional referendum, from issuing the official writ (the formal order to hold the vote) through to counting the votes and declaring the result.\n- **Adapts election rules** by applying most of the rules from the *Electoral Act 2017* (which governs state elections) to referendums, with specific modifications. For example, ballot papers must say \"YES\" or \"NO\" instead of listing candidates.\n- **Sets the mechanics** of voting: voters mark a tick for \"YES\" if they approve the proposed constitutional change, or a tick for \"NO\" if they don't. The law also allows for postal voting and sets out how to handle votes when a referendum is held on the same day as a general election.\n- **Creates offences** to ensure fair conduct, including bans on bribery, treating voters to food or drink to influence them, undue influence or threats, misleading advertisements about how to vote, and disorderly conduct at public meetings.\n- **Provides for dispute resolution** by allowing either house of Parliament to refer questions about the validity of a referendum to the Supreme Court.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **NSW voters**, who get to vote on proposed constitutional changes.\n- **The Electoral Commissioner and electoral officials**, who run the referendum.\n- **Political parties and campaigners**, who must follow the rules about bribery, misleading advertising, and conduct.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law ensures that when the NSW Government wants to change the Constitution, the public gets a fair and properly conducted vote. It protects the integrity of the process through criminal penalties for corruption and provides clear procedures for counting votes and resolving disputes. Notably, much of the original Act has been repealed over time—Parts 4 and 5 and several sections were removed in 1933, leaving mainly the referendum procedures in Parts 1–3."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s operative scope has been narrowed and modernised through amendments and repeals. Many former parts and schedules have been repealed (see numerous repeal annotations), and the current text expressly incorporates and depends on the Electoral Act 2017 for much of the operational detail (s 5). The contemporary Act focuses on the writ process, ballot forms and referendum‑specific voting, counting and challenge procedures, with offences and a regulations power retained (ss 6–9, 14–16, 19–27, 28–35, 37–41). Historical material that previously dealt with other election or council provisions has been removed by repeal, so the present scope is concentrated on referendum procedure and related offences rather than the broader electoral subjects that earlier versions covered (annotations to repealed parts and substitution notes in the text indicate these changes)."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-references to the Electoral Act 2017 requiring readers to consult another statute for operational detail (s 5).","Mixture of detailed procedural steps for polling, counting, packaging and transmission of materials across multiple officers (ss 19, 22–25, 27).","Multiple discretionary decision points (returning officers on informality, Electoral Commissioner on recounts, Governor on regulations and writs) that affect outcomes (ss 20–21, s 26, ss 6, 35).","Separate rules for simultaneous election-and-referendum events that change normal processes and documentation (s 16).","Statutory offences with different penalty levels and distinct factual elements (ss 37–41), increasing compliance complexity for campaigners and publishers.","Provisions for judicial review and conclusive public statements, plus a saving clause for immaterial errors, create interaction between administrative finality and court contestability (ss 27, 28, 34).","Historical layering: several sections and schedules have been repealed or substituted (annotations in the text), producing a compact but amended framework that requires attention to amendment notes."],"plain_english_summary":"# What this Act does, who it affects, and why it matters\n\n- Mechanically, this Act sets out the rules for submitting a Bill to the electors (a referendum) and for running, counting and finalising that referendum. It prescribes who issues the writ, how ballot papers must look and be handled, which electors may vote, how votes are counted and challenged, and a number of offences with penalties connected to referendum campaigning and conduct (see, for example, sections 6–9, 14–16, 19–27, 28–35, 37–41).\n\n- Who acts and who pays\n  - The Governor issues the writ for a referendum (s 6). The Electoral Commissioner administers the referendum process once a writ is issued, including public notices and returning the writ with the voting totals (s 9, s 27). Returning officers and their deputies run polling places, make parcelled returns of ballot papers, and transmit vote counts to the Electoral Commissioner (ss 22–25). These duties are performed by public officials and carried out within the public administration; the Act assigns responsibilities rather than creating private funding obligations (ss 6, 9, 22–27).\n\n- How votes are cast and counted\n  - The Act treats a referendum largely like an election by applying the Electoral Act 2017 where applicable, but with specific adjustments (s 5). Voting is by ballot with a simple YES/NO choice (s 14). Only electors entitled to vote at an election may vote at a referendum (s 10). Ballot-paper form, postal-vote rules and joint-ballot handling where more than one referendum occurs on the same day are specified (s 15, s 16, Second Schedule Forms B, D, E).\n\n- Administration and discretion\n  - The Electoral Commissioner must indorse receipt of a writ, publish notices and deliver materials to returning officers (s 9). Returning officers and deputies have specific procedural duties after the poll (ss 19, 22–25). The Electoral Commissioner can direct recounts before indorsing the writ, and may be required by the Governor to do so (s 26). The Governor may make regulations to prescribe matters necessary to give effect to this Part, including altering ballot forms and extending times where necessary (s 35). Returning officers have discretion in deciding whether particular marks render a ballot informal, subject to the statutory rules and saving provisions (ss 20–21).\n\n- Legal review and finality\n  - The Act provides a mechanism for either House of Parliament to refer questions about the validity of a referendum or its returns to the Supreme Court within 15 sitting days of the publication of the electoral statement; the Court hears such references with powers analogous to the Court of Disputed Returns (ss 28–30, 33). The Electoral Commissioner’s published statement is declared conclusive evidence of the result, subject to the Act and any court determination (s 27(2)). A saving clause prevents avoidances of a referendum for immaterial errors that did not affect the result, but prevents evidence about how an excluded elector would have voted (s 34).\n\n- Restrictions, penalties and effects on behaviour\n  - The Act creates criminal offences (with specified maximum penalties) aimed at suppressing bribery, undue influence and certain campaign practices: supplying meat, drink or entertainment to influence votes (s 37); bribery and solicitation/receipt of bribes (ss 38–39); threats or violence to influence voting (s 40); and printing or distributing misleading representations of ballot papers or untrue statements intended to mislead electors (s 41). Those provisions place legal risk on individuals or organisations who supply benefits to electors or knowingly disseminate materially misleading material about voting procedures.\n\n- Interaction with the Electoral Act and dual events\n  - Where a referendum coincides with an election day, many election procedures and documents apply to the referendum (s 16), and section 5 instructs that provisions of the Electoral Act 2017 apply to a referendum \"as if the referendum were an election\" except where this Act provides otherwise (s 5). That reduces duplication of administration when both events occur on the same day (s 16).\n\n- Purpose claims and their practical implications\n  - The Act’s expressed purpose is to provide a clear, governed process for submitting Bills to electors and for administering the voting, counting and legal review of those referendums (through the writ process, electoral administration duties, ballot forms and the Court reference process) (ss 6–9, 14–27, 28–33). Testing that claim against the Act’s mechanics shows: the Act centralises operational responsibility in the Electoral Commissioner and returning officers (ss 9, 22–27), grants administrative discretion in counting and recounts (ss 19, 21, 26), and creates criminal penalties to constrain particular campaign practices (ss 37–41). The Act also delegates regulatory flexibility to the Governor to adjust forms and timings (s 35), which reduces the need for frequent primary‑law amendment but gives the executive some implementation latitude.\n\n- Compliance burdens, incentives and trade-offs (source‑grounded)\n  - Electors must follow marking instructions or risk informal ballot rejection, but returning officers have a statutory margin to accept non‑standard marks where intention is clear (ss 14, 20–21). That allocates the compliance burden primarily to electors (correct marking and, where relevant, following postal voting witness requirements, s 15 and Second Schedule Form D) and places decision costs on returning officers who must determine informality (ss 20–21). Campaigners and communicators face legal risk if they supply benefits to influence votes or publish deliberately misleading material (ss 37–41), which changes incentives for in‑person hospitality and public statements during the referendum period. Administrative trade‑offs include the Governor’s ability to alter timelines by regulation (s 35) and the Electoral Commissioner’s authority over recounts (s 26), which introduce implementation flexibility but also create points of executive or administrative discretion.\n\n- Risks and implementation notes\n  - Cross‑referencing the Electoral Act 2017 (s 5) means that the referendum regime relies on another statute for many operational definitions and procedures; that creates dependence on that Act for definitions, penalty applications and detailed voting rules. Multiple provisions have been removed or updated over time (annotations in the text indicate repeals and substitutions), and the Act expressly allows regulations to change ballot forms and timings (s 35), so the practical operation of referendums depends on both delegated regulations and the current Electoral Act provisions. The Act provides for judicial review of disputed returns (ss 28–30) but also contains a saving provision limiting avoidance for immaterial errors (s 34), which balances finality and contestability.\n\n- Who bears direct legal risk\n  - Individuals or organisations who bribe, unduly influence, threaten electors, or publish misleading ballot representations face criminal penalties (ss 37–41). Public officials (Electoral Commissioner, returning officers, deputies) bear operational duties and discretionary decision points in administering voting and determining informality (ss 9, 19–27, 20–21, 26).\n\nSummary citation guide: procedural duties and writ (ss 6–9); application of Electoral Act 2017 and electoral definitions (s 5, s 4); voting method and ballot form (ss 14–16, s 15 and Second Schedule Forms B, D, E); counting and returns (ss 19–27); court references and review (ss 28–34); regulations and forms (s 35); offences and penalties (ss 37–41)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/constitution-further-amendment-referendum-act-1930","history":"/api/acts/constitution-further-amendment-referendum-act-1930/history","analysis":"/api/acts/constitution-further-amendment-referendum-act-1930/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/constitution-further-amendment-referendum-act-1930/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/constitution-further-amendment-referendum-act-1930/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/constitution-further-amendment-referendum-act-1930/documents"}}