TSRA Elections

TSRA Elections: 17 May 2008

The Australian Government Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Honourable Jenny Macklin, has announced Saturday 17 May 2008 as polling day for the Torres Strait Regional Authority election for the wards of Port Kennedy; TRAWQ (Tamwoy, Rosehill, Aplin, Waiben and Quarantine); and Horn/Prince of Wales Islands.

From Tuesday 18 March 2008 to 5pm Wednesday 16 April 2008, the Australian Electoral Commission will call for nominations of candidates who wish to contest the election.

 To be eligible, prospective candidates must:
- be a Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal person
- 18 years of age or over
- be on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll at an address within the ward they wish to represent as well as live in the ward they want to represent
- not be a TSRA staff member or consultant to the TSRA
- not be bankrupt and there be no personal insolvency agreement in operation with their creditors under the law relating to bankruptcy
- not have been sentenced to imprisonment for one year or longer
- not have been in prison for dishonesty for three months or longer

Nominations can be made by post, fax or in person, with forms available from the AEC and the TSRA (see contact details below). An Election Guide is also available from the AEC and the TSRA to assist nominees and voters.

All Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living within these wards who are 18 years of age and over, enrolled on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll by 5pm on Friday 2 May 2008; and enrolled at an address in these wards are encouraged to vote.

On polling day (17 May 2008), voting will occur between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm at a polling place in each Ward. Venues will be advised in the near future.

Should a voter be unable to attend polling day, an absent vote, early vote or postal vote can be arranged. Further details can be obtained by contacting the AEC on the number below or by visiting www.aec.gov.au

For further information contact:
Mr Tony Anderson, Returning Officer, Australian Electoral Commission,
Fl 2, Commonwealth Centre, 104 Grafton St, Cairns City
Telephone:  (07) 4051 7188   Fax: (07) 4051 7694
Email: tony.anderson@aec.gov.au

Nomination forms and Election Guides can be obtained from the Manager, Executive Services, Torres Strait Regional Authority, 46 Victoria Parade, Thursday Island. Telephone: (07) 4069 0700   Toll-free: 1800 079 093   Fax: (07) 4069 1879 Email: info@tsra.gov.au  Website: www.gov.au

Boundary Map:                                                                                                                                        

Port Kennedy, TRAWQ and Horn/Prince of Wales Islands
© TSRA

Electoral Time Table:

Gazettal of Notice fixing Day of Polling: 14 February 2008

Nominations Open: 18 March 2008

Close of Nominations: 17 April 2008 (within 24 hours after the close of nominations but not before noon)

Commence Postal/Pre-poll Voting:  21 April 2008 (provided ballot papers are available)

Close of Enrolment:  5.00pm 2 May 2008

Polling Day:  17 May 2008