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Australian Capital Territory
Referendum (Machinery Provisions)
Act 1994
A1994-79
Republication No 9
Effective: 26 November 2025
Republication date: 26 November 2025
Last amendment made by A2025-29
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About this republication
The republished law
This is a republication of the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1994 (including any
amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on
26 November 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting
this republished law to 26 November 2025.
The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3
and 4.
Kinds of republications
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT
legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):
• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies
• unauthorised republications.
The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial
amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.
Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by
an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The
changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into
line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.
This republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).
Uncommenced provisions and amendments
If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately
before the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law
are accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more
information, see the home page for this law on the register.
Modifications
If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M appears
immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the
endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.
Penalties
At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an
individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).
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Australian Capital Territory
Referendum (Machinery Provisions)
Act 1994
Contents
Page
1 Name of Act 2
2 Dictionary 2
3 Notes 2
3A Terms used in Electoral Act 2
4 Interpretation of applied provisions of Electoral Act 2
5 Application 4
6 Commission staff 4
7 Timing of referendums 4
8 Arguments for and against referendum options 5
10 Arrangements for referendums 6
11 Ballot papers 7
12 Voting at a referendum 8
Contents
Page
contents 2 Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1994
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13 Polling in Antarctica 9
14 Scrutiny 10
15 Financial disclosure 11
16 Disputed referendums 12
17 Offences 13
18 Enforcement 13
19 Miscellaneous 14
20 Approved forms 14
21 Regulation-making power 14
Schedule 1 Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in
relation to referendums 16
Part 1.1 Modifications of part 10—voting 16
Part 1.2 Modifications of part 12—the scrutiny 18
Part 1.3 Modifications of part 14—election funding, expenditure
and financial disclosure 19
Part 1.4 Modifications of part 16—disputed elections, eligibility
and vacancies 22
Part 1.5 Modification of part 17—electoral offences 24
Part 1.6 Modifications of part 19—miscellaneous 25
Dictionary 26
Endnotes
1 About the endnotes 28
2 Abbreviation key 28
3 Legislation history 29
4 Amendment history 31
5 Earlier republications 33
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Australian Capital Territory
Referendum (Machinery Provisions)
Act 1994
An Act relating to referendums
Section 1
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1 Name of Act
This Act is the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1994.
2 Dictionary
The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.
Note 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this
Act.
Note 2 A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire Act unless the
definition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the
contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and
s 156 (1)).
3 Notes
A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.
Note See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.
3A Terms used in Electoral Act
A term used in the Electoral Act has the same meaning in this Act.
4 Interpretation of applied provisions of Electoral Act
(1) Unless the contrary intention appears, an expression used in the
Electoral Act as applied by this Act has the same meaning as in that
Act, so far as that meaning is applicable, with the necessary changes,
in relation to a referendum.
(2) In the application of the Electoral Act, unless the contrary intention
appears—
(a) a reference to a ballot paper (including the form of a ballot
paper), a ballot box, or other thing shall be taken to be a
reference to a ballot paper (including the form of a ballot paper),
ballot box or corresponding thing in relation to a referendum;
and
Section 4
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(b) a reference to an election shall be taken to be a reference to a
referendum; and
(c) a reference to an election period, or a pre-election period, shall
be taken to be a reference to a referendum period, or a
pre-referendum period, that corresponds with the relevant period
specified in relation to an election; and
(d) a reference to electoral matter shall be taken to be a reference to
matter that is intended or is likely to affect voting in a
referendum, and includes any matter that contains an express or
implied reference to a referendum or to any of the matters on
which electors are required to vote in a referendum; and
(e) a reference to an electoral paper shall be taken to be a reference
to any document, form or notice provided for, or required, under
the Electoral Act, as applied by this Act, for the purposes of a
referendum; and
(f) a reference to a poll shall be taken to be a reference to the taking
of the votes of electors for the purposes of a referendum; and
(g) a reference to a polling day in relation to a referendum shall be
taken to be a reference to a referendum day; and
(h) a reference to a polling place or a scrutiny centre in relation to a
referendum shall be taken to be a reference—
(i) in the case of a concurrent referendum—to the polling
place or a scrutiny centre appointed for the election under
the Electoral Act, section 119; and
(ii) in the case of a separate referendum—to a polling place or
a scrutiny centre appointed for the referendum under the
Electoral Act, section 119 as applied by this Act; and
(j) a reference to a pre-election period shall be taken to be a
reference to a pre-referendum period that corresponds with the
period specified in relation to an election; and
Section 5
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(k) a reference to a scrutineer shall be taken to be a reference to a
scrutineer appointed for the purposes of a referendum; and
(m) a reference to this Act shall be read as a reference to the Electoral
Act as applied by this Act.
5 Application
(1) A referendum for the purposes of a referendum law shall be held in
accordance with this Act.
(2) This Act applies in relation to a referendum referred to in
subsection (1) except to the extent that a referendum law provides
otherwise.
6 Commission staff
(1) For the purposes of a referendum, the Electoral Act, sections 32 and
33 apply, so far as the same are applicable, with the necessary
changes, in the same way as those provisions apply for the purposes
of an election.
(2) In particular, a person appointed to be an officer under the Electoral
Act, section 33 for the purposes of that Act shall be taken to be so
appointed for the purposes of that Act as applied by this Act.
7 Timing of referendums
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a poll for a referendum shall be held on the
polling day for the next ordinary election ascertained in accordance
with the Electoral Act.
(2) If a referendum law provides for a referendum day other than a
polling day referred to in subsection (1), then, unless the referendum
law provides otherwise, the poll for the referendum shall be held on
a Saturday fixed by the Executive, in writing, not being—
(a) a day that occurs between the commencement of a pre-election
period and the expiration of the period of 36 days after the
polling day for the relevant election; or
Section 8
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(b) the day for—
(i) an election of Senators; or
(ii) a general election of members of the House of
Representatives; or
(iii) a referendum held under a law of the Commonwealth;
unless the Minister arranges with the appropriate Minister of the
Crown of the Commonwealth for the poll for the referendum to
be held on that day.
(3) An instrument under subsection (2) is a notifiable instrument.
8 Arguments for and against referendum options
(1) Where, within 30 days of the passage of a referendum law, the
commissioner receives—
(a) an authorised statement, consisting of not more than 2 000
words, of the arguments in favour of the matter to be submitted
to referendum; or
(b) an authorised statement, consisting of not more than 2 000
words, of the arguments against the matter to be submitted to
referendum;
the commissioner shall, not later than 14 days before the relevant
referendum day, cause each argument to be printed in a similar
typeface and typestyle in a pamphlet containing the relevant
arguments and to be posted, as nearly as practicable—
(c) to each elector; or
(d) to each household in the Territory.
Section 10
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(2) In subsection (1):
authorised statement means—
(a) in the case of a statement referred to in subsection (1) (a)—a
statement authorised by a majority of the members of the
Assembly who voted in favour of the relevant referendum law;
and
(b) in the case of a statement referred to in subsection (1) (b)—a
statement authorised by a majority of the members of the
Assembly who voted against the relevant referendum law.
10 Arrangements for referendums
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable, the
arrangements that apply in relation to a referendum are the same as
the arrangements for an election.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, division 9.4 applies,
so far as the same is applicable, with the necessary changes.
(3) In particular, the Electoral Act, division 9.4 applies—
(a) subject to a referendum law providing for the appointment of
scrutineers for the purposes of a referendum; and
(b) in the case of a separate referendum, subject to—
(i) each MLA being entitled to appoint a scrutineer to
represent the member during the voting for the referendum,
or during the scrutiny for the referendum, or both; and
(ii) the Electoral Act, sections 122 and 123 being construed,
with the necessary changes, for the purpose of giving effect
to subparagraph (i); and
Section 11
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(c) in the case of a concurrent referendum, subject to—
(i) a person appointed as a scrutineer by a candidate for an
election being taken to be appointed also for the purposes
of the referendum; and
(ii) places appointed to be polling places or scrutiny centres for
the election being taken to be appointed also for the
purposes of the referendum; and
(iii) administrative arrangements made for the election, so far
as the same are applicable, being taken to be made also for
the purposes of the referendum; and
(iv) the same certified list of electors being used for the
purposes of both the election and the referendum.
11 Ballot papers
(1) A referendum ballot paper—
(a) shall set out the referendum options; and
(b) shall be in accordance with the form (if any) ascertained in
accordance with the relevant referendum law; and
(c) shall be printed in accordance with the requirements (if any) of
the relevant referendum law; and
(d) shall bear an official mark.
(2) The commissioner may determine the colour of the paper on which
referendum ballot papers are to be printed.
(3) If a referendum law does not make provision in relation to—
(a) the form of the referendum ballot paper; or
(b) the printing of the referendum ballot paper;
the form and printing of the referendum ballot paper shall be
ascertained in accordance with the regulations.
Section 12
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(4) Where such regulations are in force, a reference in this Act to a
referendum ballot paper shall be read as a reference to a referendum
ballot paper in the form ascertained in accordance with the
regulations except to the extent that such regulations are inconsistent
with a referendum law.
(5) For this section, a referendum ballot paper may be in electronic form.
12 Voting at a referendum
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable,
voting at a referendum is conducted in the same way as voting at an
election.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, part 10 applies, so
far as the same is applicable, with the necessary changes.
(3) In particular—
(a) the procedures for voting at a referendum shall be the same as
the procedures for voting at elections, so far as such procedures
are applicable; and
(b) an elector shall record his or her vote on a referendum ballot
paper by marking the ballot paper in accordance with the
directions lawfully on it; and
(c) an officer shall not issue a referendum ballot paper unless the
particulars required under section 11 are contained on the ballot
paper; and
(d) the Electoral Act, section 129 and division 10.7 only apply in
relation to a separate referendum; and
(e) the Electoral Act, part 10 applies subject to the modifications set
out in schedule 1, part 1.1.
(4) For the purposes of a concurrent referendum—
(a) the same ballot boxes may be used for the election and the
referendum; and
Section 13
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(b) subject to paragraph (c), a referendum ballot paper shall be
issued to a voter at the same time as he or she is issued with an
election ballot paper; and
(c) a voter who, on surrendering a spoilt election ballot paper, is
issued with another election ballot paper, need not be issued
with a another referendum ballot paper; and
(d) a person who casts an ordinary vote for the election shall cast
his or her vote for the referendum in the same way at the same
time and place; and
(e) a person who casts a declaration vote for the election shall cast
his or her vote for the referendum in the same way; and
(f) the marked referendum ballot paper of a declaration voter shall
be placed in the same envelope as the election ballot paper; and
(g) the referendum ballot paper of a declaration voter is to be
admitted to further scrutiny for the referendum if, and only if,
the election ballot paper is admitted to further scrutiny for the
election.
13 Polling in Antarctica
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable,
polling in Antarctica for the purposes of a referendum is conducted
in the same way as the polling of electors in Antarctica for the
purposes of an election.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, part 11 applies, so
far as the same is applicable, with the necessary changes.
(3) In particular, the directions transmitted by the commissioner to a
returning officer for the preparation of referendum ballot papers shall
ensure, so far as practicable, that such ballot papers are the same as
ballot papers prepared in accordance with section 11.
Section 14
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14 Scrutiny
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable, the
result of polling at a referendum is ascertained by scrutiny in the same
way as for an election.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, part 12 applies, so
far as the same is applicable, with the necessary changes.
(3) In particular—
(a) subject to a referendum law, the formality of a referendum ballot
paper shall be determined in accordance with the Electoral Act,
section 180, so far as the same is applicable, with the necessary
changes; and
(b) without limiting paragraph (a), a reference in the Electoral Act,
sections 118A (6) (b), 180(2) (b) and (c) and (3) (a),
182 (4) (c) (ii) and (5) (a) (i), 184 (1) (b) (i) and 184 (2) to a first
preference, or a preference, in relation to a candidate or a
candidate square, as the case may be, shall be taken to be a
reference to a vote in relation to a referendum option; and
(c) a reference to a candidate in the Electoral Act, section 187 in
relation to a request for a recount of referendum ballot papers
shall be taken to be a reference to a person having authority to
make such a request under a referendum law or the regulations
except to the extent that such regulations are inconsistent with a
referendum law; and
(d) the Electoral Act, part 12 applies subject to the modifications
specified in schedule 1, part 1.2.
Section 15
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(4) Unless a referendum law otherwise provides, the result of a
referendum shall be ascertained and notified in the following manner:
(a) the commissioner shall arrange for all unrejected referendum
ballot papers to be counted to ascertain—
(i) the number of votes in favour of each referendum option;
and
(ii) the number of votes opposed to each referendum option;
and
(iii) the total number of informal ballot papers;
(b) as soon as practicable after the count is concluded, the
commissioner must prepare a notice setting out the numbers so
counted and declaring the result of the referendum.
(5) A notice under subsection (4) (b) is a notifiable instrument.
15 Financial disclosure
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable, the
provisions of the Electoral Act, part 14, as applied by this section,
apply in relation to a referendum in the same way as those provisions
apply in relation to an election.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, divisions 14.1, 14.4,
14.5, 14.7 and 14.8 apply, so far as the same are applicable, with the
necessary changes.
(3) In particular—
(a) a reference in the Electoral Act, section 201 (1) to the disclosure
period in relation to an election shall be taken to be a reference
to the disclosure period, in relation to a referendum,
commencing 37 days before the expiration of polling day for the
referendum and ending on the expiration of 30 days after polling
day for the referendum; and
Section 16
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(b) a reference in the Electoral Act, section 198, to the capped
expenditure period for an election is to be taken to be a reference
to the capped expenditure period, in relation to a referendum,
commencing 37 days before the expiration of polling day for the
referendum and ending on the expiration of 30 days after polling
day for the referendum; and
(c) a reference in the Electoral Act, part 14, as applied by this
section, to the amount of a gift shall, where the amount is to be
determined in accordance with regulations made for the
purposes of the Electoral Act, section 202 be taken to be a
reference to the amount so determined; and
(d) a reference in the Electoral Act, section 220, to a third-party
campaigner is to be taken to be a reference to a person; and
(e) the Electoral Act, part 14 applies subject to the modifications set
out in schedule 1, part 1.3.
16 Disputed referendums
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable, the
validity of a referendum may be disputed in the same way as the
validity of an election may be disputed and not otherwise.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, part 16 applies, so
far as the same is applicable, with the necessary changes.
(3) In particular—
(a) without limiting the Electoral Act, section 256 as applied, the
validity of a referendum is taken to be in dispute if the notice of
the voting at the referendum, prepared under section 14 (4) (b),
is called into question; and
(b) the Electoral Act, part 16 applies subject to the modifications set
out in schedule 1, part 1.4.
(4) A referendum is not invalidated merely because the commissioner
may not have strictly complied with section 8.
Section 17
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17 Offences
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable, the
provisions of the Electoral Act creating offences in relation to an
election apply in the same way in relation to a referendum.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the provisions referred to in
subsection (1) apply, so far as the same are applicable, with the
necessary changes.
(3) In particular, the Electoral Act, part 17 applies—
(a) as if a reference in the Electoral Act, section 304 to an
association with a registered party or candidate were taken to be
a reference to an association with any of the referendum options;
and
(b) subject to the modification set out in schedule 1, part 1.5.
18 Enforcement
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable,
enforcement proceedings under the Electoral Act, part 18 in respect
of a contravention of that Act in its application to elections apply, in
the same way in respect of a contravention of that Act, as applied by
this Act, in its application to referendums.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, part 18 applies, so
far as the same is applicable, with the necessary changes.
(3) In particular, a reference in the Electoral Act, sections 321 (2)
and 322 (2) to a candidate in relation to an election shall be taken to
be a reference to a person who, for the purposes of a referendum, is
ascertained in accordance with a referendum law or the regulations
except to the extent that such regulations are inconsistent with a
referendum law.
Section 19
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19 Miscellaneous
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that, as far as practicable, the
provisions of the Electoral Act, part 19 apply in relation to a
referendum in the same way as those provisions apply in relation to
an election.
(2) For the purpose of this section, the Electoral Act, part 19 applies, so
far as the same is applicable, with the necessary changes.
(3) In particular, the Electoral Act, part 19 applies subject to the
modifications set out in schedule 1, part 1.6.
20 Approved forms
(1) The commissioner may, in writing, approve forms for this Act.
(2) If the commissioner approves a form for a particular purpose, the
approved form must be used for that purpose.
(3) An approved form is a notifiable instrument.
21 Regulation-making power
(1) The Executive may make regulations for this Act.
(2) The regulations may make provision, not inconsistent with a
referendum law, in relation to matters relevant to a particular
referendum or to referendums generally, including the following
matters:
(a) the printing of ballot papers;
(b) the appointment of scrutineers;
(c) scrutiny procedures, including the formality of ballot papers;
(d) people entitled to dispute referendums.
(3) The regulations may also prescribe offences for contraventions of the
regulations and prescribe maximum penalties of not more than
10 penalty units for offences against the regulations.
Section 21
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(4) The Executive must consult with the electoral commission and the
relevant Assembly committee before making a regulation under this
Act.
(5) Subject to any disallowance or amendment under the Legislation Act,
chapter 7, a regulation under this Act commences—
(a) if there is a motion to disallow the regulation and the motion is
negatived by the Legislative Assembly—on the day after the day
the motion is negatived; or
(b) on the day after the 6th sitting day after the day it is presented to
the Legislative Assembly under that chapter; or
(c) if the regulation provides for a later date or time of
commencement—on that date or at that time.
(6) In this section:
relevant Assembly committee—has the same meaning as in the
Electoral Act, dictionary.
Schedule 1 Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums
Part 1.1 Modifications of part 10—voting
Mod [1.1]
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Schedule 1 Modifications of Electoral Act
as applied in relation to
referendums
(see ss 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 19)
Part 1.1 Modifications of part 10—voting
[1.1] Section 130
substitute
130 Multiple votes prohibited
An elector shall not vote more than once at the same referendum.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or
both.
[1.2] Section 132
omit
[1.3] Section 134 (b)
omit
section 132
substitute
the directions on it
Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums Schedule 1
Modifications of part 10—voting Part 1.1
Mod [1.4]
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[1.4] Section 135 (4) (c) (i)
omit
section 132
substitute
the directions on it
[1.5] Section 155
omit
Schedule 1 Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums
Part 1.2 Modifications of part 12—the scrutiny
Mod [1.6]
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Part 1.2 Modifications of part 12—the
scrutiny
[1.6] Section 185
omit
[1.7] Section 189
omit
Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums Schedule 1
Modifications of part 14—election funding, expenditure and financial
disclosure
Part 1.3
Mod [1.8]
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Part 1.3 Modifications of part 14—
election funding, expenditure
and financial disclosure
[1.8] Section 200
omit
[1.9] Section 201 (2)
omit
[1.10] Section 217
omit
[1.16] Section 222
substitute
222 Anonymous gifts
(1) A person shall not accept a gift made for the purposes of a
referendum, being a gift the amount of which equals or exceeds $200,
unless—
(a) the defined details in relation to the gift are known to the person
accepting the gift; or
(b) the person making the gift informs the person accepting the gift
of the defined details and, at the time when the gift is made, the
person accepting it has no grounds for believing that the
information provided is not true.
(2) Subsection (1) applies to gifts received at any time.
(3) The reference in subsection (1) to a gift made by a person includes a
reference to a gift made on behalf of the members of an
unincorporated association.
Schedule 1 Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums
Part 1.3 Modifications of part 14—election funding, expenditure and financial
disclosure
Mod [1.17]
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(4) For the purposes of this section, 2 or more gifts made by the same
person for the purposes of a referendum shall be deemed to be a single
gift.
(5) Where a person receives a gift in contravention of subsection (1), an
amount equal to the amount of the gift is payable by that person to
the Territory and may be recovered by the Territory as a debt due to
the Territory by that person.
[1.17] Section 223, definition of participant
substitute
participant, in a referendum, means a person by whom, or with the
authority of whom, referendum expenditure in relation to a referendum is
incurred.
[1.18] Section 224 (1), (2) and (3)
omit
[1.19] Section 224 (4)
substitute
(4) Where referendum expenditure in relation to a referendum was
incurred by or with the authority of a person, the person shall, before
the expiration of 60 days after polling day for the referendum, give
the commissioner a return, in writing, specifying details of the
referendum expenditure.
[1.20] Section 225
omit
[1.21] Section 227
omit
Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums Schedule 1
Modifications of part 14—election funding, expenditure and financial
disclosure
Part 1.3
Mod [1.23]
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[1.23] Section 239 (2)
omit
[1.24] Section 239 (3)
substitute
(3) Where a person would, in the normal course of business or
administration, transfer to another person a record referred to in
subsection (1)—
(a) the person shall be taken not to have contravened the subsection
by so transferring the record; and
(b) the person to whom the record is transferred shall retain the
record for the period for which the person who transferred the
record would have had to retain the record had the record not
been transferred.
[1.25] Section 241 (2)
omit
[1.26] Section 242 (3)
substitute
(3) A request may be made by the person who gave the return.
Schedule 1 Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums
Part 1.4 Modifications of part 16—disputed elections, eligibility and vacancies
Mod [1.27]
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Part 1.4 Modifications of part 16—
disputed elections, eligibility and
vacancies
[1.27] Section 265 (b) and (c)
substitute
(b) declare whether a particular vote was cast in favour of, or
against, a particular referendum option; or
(c) declare whether a referendum ballot paper is informal; or
[1.28] Section 266 (1)
omit
or (b)
[1.29] Section 266 (2)
substitute
(2) The court shall not make a declaration under section 265 (a) on the
ground of any illegal practice unless satisfied that—
(a) the result of the referendum was, or was likely to have been,
affected by the illegal practice; and
(b) it is just to make the declaration.
[1.30] Section 266 (3)
omit
(whether the court makes a declaration under section 265 (a) or (b)
on that ground or not)
Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums Schedule 1
Modifications of part 16—disputed elections, eligibility and vacancies Part 1.4
Mod [1.31]
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[1.31] Section 275
substitute
275 Effect of declarations
(1) If the court declares a referendum void, another referendum must be
held on a Saturday chosen in writing by the Executive.
(2) The Executive may only choose a Saturday that is at least 36 days,
and not later than 90 days, after the day the choice is made.
(3) An instrument under subsection (1) is a notifiable instrument.
(4) If a declaration is made by the court under section 265 (b) or (c) that
has the effect of altering the result of a referendum, the commissioner
must prepare a written notice—
(a) setting out the effect of the declaration of the court in relation
to—
(i) the number of votes in favour of each referendum option;
and
(ii) the number of votes opposed to each referendum option;
and
(iii) the total number of informal ballot papers; and
(b) declaring the result of the referendum in accordance with the
declaration of the court.
(5) A notice is a notifiable instrument.
(6) A declaration by the court mentioned in subsection (1) or (4) takes
effect at the end of the day the declaration is made.
Schedule 1 Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums
Part 1.5 Modification of part 17—electoral offences
Mod [1.32]
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Part 1.5 Modification of part 17—electoral
offences
[1.32] Section 289 (1)
substitute
(1) A person shall not discriminate against another person on the ground
of the making by the other person of a gift for the purposes of a
referendum.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or
both.
Modifications of Electoral Act as applied in relation to referendums Schedule 1
Modifications of part 19—miscellaneous Part 1.6
Mod [1.33]
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Part 1.6 Modifications of part 19—
miscellaneous
[1.33] Section 335 (a)
substitute
(a) the expiration of the period within which a referendum can be
disputed; or
[1.34] Section 341
omit
Dictionary
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Dictionary
(see s 2)
Note 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to
this Act.
Note 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:
• ACT
• Commonwealth
• electoral commissioner
• the Territory.
commissioner means the Electoral Commissioner appointed under
the Electoral Act.
concurrent referendum means a referendum held on the same day as
the polling day for an election.
declaration vote, in relation to a referendum, means a vote cast in
accordance with the Electoral Act, division 10.3 as applied by this
Act.
election has the same meaning as in the Electoral Act.
election ballot paper means a ballot paper for an election.
Electoral Act means the Electoral Act 1992.
enabling law means a law that provides for a matter, including a
proposed law, to be submitted to a referendum.
entrenching law means a law required to be submitted to a
referendum under the Australian Capital Territory
(Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), section 26 (2).
printing, for a referendum ballot paper, includes displaying an
electronic referendum ballot paper.
referendum means a referendum of electors.
referendum ballot paper means a ballot paper for a referendum, and
includes an electronic referendum ballot paper.
Dictionary
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referendum day means the day on which a poll for a referendum is
required to be held.
referendum law means—
(a) an enabling law; or
(b) an entrenching law; or
(c) a law required by an entrenching law to be submitted to a
referendum.
referendum option means an option put, or to be put, to voters at a
referendum.
separate referendum means a referendum held on a day other than
the polling day for an election.
Endnotes
1 About the endnotes
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Endnotes
1 About the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the
amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law
but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are
annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be
obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details
of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are
underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered
provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
2 Abbreviation key
A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form o = order
am = amended om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution orig = original
ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice pres = present
def = definition prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule
Assembly reloc = relocated
div = division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette RI = reissue
hdg = heading s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification or to be expired
Endnotes
Legislation history 3
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3 Legislation history
Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1994 A1994-79
notified 23 November 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S247)
s 1, s 2 commenced 23 November 1994 (s 2 (1))
remainder (ss 3-20) 16 December 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No
S295)
as amended by
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996 A1996-56 s 35
notified 29 November 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S320)
s 35 commenced 29 November 1996 (s 2)
Statute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998 A1998-54 sch
notified 27 November 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S207)
s 1, s 2 commenced 27 November 1998 (s 2 (1))
sch commenced 9 December 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No 49)
Electoral Amendment Act 2000 (No 2) A2000-76 pt 3
notified 21 December 2000 (Gaz 2000 No S69)
s 1, s 2 commenced 21 December 2000 (IA s 10B)
pt 3 (ss 25-29) commenced 11 April 2001 (s 2 and Gaz 2001 No 14)
Electoral Amendment Act 2001 A2001-36 sch 3
notified 29 June 2001 (Gaz 2001 No S36)
sch 3 commenced 29 June 2001 (s 2)
Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 325
notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)
pt 325 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001 No
S65)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2001
A2001-70 sch 1
notified LR 14 September 2001
s 1, s 2 commenced 14 September 2001 (LA s 75)
amdts commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 (3))
Endnotes
3 Legislation history
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Electoral Amendment Act 2004 A2004-26 s 42
notified LR 21 May 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 21 May 2004 (LA s 79 (1))
s 42 commenced 22 May 2004 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2007 A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.84
notified LR 22 March 2007
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))
sch 3 pt 3.84 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))
Electoral Legislation Amendment Act 2008 A2008-13 sch 3
notified LR 20 May 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 May 2008 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 commenced 21 May 2008 (s 2)
Electoral Amendment Act 2012 A2012-28 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 18 May 2012
s 1, s 2 commenced 18 May 2012 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 1 July 2012 (s 2)
Officers of the Assembly Legislation Amendment Act 2013 A2013-41
sch 1 pt 1.8
notified LR 7 November 2013
s 1, s 2 commenced 7 November 2013 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.8 commenced 1 July 2014 (s 2)
Electoral Legislation Amendment Act 2020 A2020-28 sch 1
notified LR 8 July 2020
s 1, s 2 commenced 8 July 2020 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 commenced 9 July 2020 (s 2 (1))
Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.78, sch 4
pt 4.150
notified LR 6 November 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.78, sch 4 pt 4.150 commenced 26 November 2025 (s 2 (3),
(9))
Endnotes
Amendment history 4
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4 Amendment history
Name of Act
s 1 sub A2007-3 amdt 3.439
Dictionary
s 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.3588
ins A2007-3 amdt 3.441
Notes
s 3 defs reloc to dict A2007-3 amdt 3.440
sub A2007-3 amdt 3.441
Terms used in Electoral Act
s 3A ins A2007-3 amdt 3.441
Timing of referendums
s 7 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3589, amdt 1.3590; A2025-29
amdt 4.151
Closure of rolls
s 9 om A2020-28 amdt 1.1
Arrangements for referendums
s 10 am A2025-29 amdt 3.256
Ballot papers
s 11 am A2000-76 s 27; A2001-44 amdt 1.3591, amdt 1.3592;
A2025-29 amdt 4.151
Voting at a referendum
s 12 am A2000-76 s 28; A2001-36 amdt 3.1, amdt 3.2; A2025-29
amdt 3.257, amdt 3.258
Scrutiny
s 14 am A2000-76 s 29; A2001-44 amdt 1.3593, amdt 1.3594;
A2025-29 amdt 3.259, amdt 4.151
Financial disclosure
s 15 am A2012-28 amdt 1.2, amdt 1.3; pars renum R6 LA;
A2025-29 amdts 3.260-3.262
Disputed referendums
s 16 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3595; A2025-29 amdt 3.263
Offences
s 17 am A2001-36 amdt 3.3; A2001-70 amdt 1.70, amdt 1.71;
A2004-26 s 42
Enforcement
s 18 am A2025-29 amdt 3.264
Endnotes
4 Amendment history
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Miscellaneous
s 19 am A2025-29 amdt 3.265
Approved forms
s 20 am A1998-54 sch
sub A2001-44 amdt 1.3596
am A2025-29 amdt 4.151
Regulation-making power
s 21 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.3596
am A2013-41 amdt 1.40; A2025-29 amdt 4.151
Modifications of part 10—voting
sch 1 pt 1.1 am A1998-54 sch
Modifications of part 14—election funding, expenditure and financial
disclosure
sch 1 pt 1.3 hdg sub A2012-28 amdt 1.4
sch 1 pt 1.3 am A1996-56 s 35; A2001-44 amdts 1.3597-1.3600; A2001-70
amdt 1.72, amdt 1.73; mods renum R3 LA; A2008-13
amdt 3.1, amdt 3.2; A2012-28 amdt 1.5, amdt 1.6; A2025-29
amdt 4.151
Modifications of part 16—disputed elections, eligibility and vacancies
sch 1 pt 1.4 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3601; A2001-70 amdt 1.73; mods renum
R3 LA; A2025-29 amdt 4.151
Modification of part 17—electoral offences
sch 1 pt 1.5 am A1998-54 sch; mods renum R3 LA; A2012-28 amdt 1.7
Modifications of part 19—miscellaneous
sch 1 pt 1.6 mods renum R3 LA
Dictionary
dict ins A2007-3 amdt 3.442
def commissioner reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def concurrent referendum reloc from s 3 A2007-3
amdt 3.440
def declaration vote reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def election reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def election ballot paper reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def Electoral Act reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def enabling law reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def entrenching law reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def printing ins A2000-76 s 26
reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def referendum reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440
def referendum ballot paper am A2000-76 s 26
reloc from s 3 A2007-3 amdt 3.440