Page 3834 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 8 November 1994
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I did have some concern about whether there was any time limit on the placement of those names on the roll. I would be concerned if, say, the time for applications were to close off on the twenty-ninth day before the election but names were to be added in dribs and drabs over the whole period between then and election day. I am assured by the Chief Minister's office and by the Electoral Commissioner that that is most unlikely to occur and that it is normal practice to complete the roll within a few days - at most, a week - after the close of the rolls. That would ensure that candidates and individuals who are entitled to a copy of the electoral roll may get a complete roll at the first available opportunity. So, I have no concerns about that, given the undertaking from the Chief Minister's office.
The second matter is the question of whether individual candidates who agree to be grouped with other candidates can have the word "independent" printed next to their name. Members will recall that the referendum options description sheet, which was lodged with voters before the 1992 referendum, had a mock ballot paper on it, and that mock ballot-paper indicated a column for grouped non-party candidates. The Assembly amended the original legislation brought forward late last year to include that capacity for non-party candidates to group together. The question is whether they should also be entitled to have the word "independent" printed beside their names. I think that, on balance, Madam Speaker, it is probably appropriate that they not have that right. After all, such candidates are, effectively, agreeing to group themselves. They are agreeing, in a sense, to be not independent candidates at all but pseudo party candidates, and they probably should not be entitled to have the word "independent" beside their names.
It does throw up the question of whether - the Independents are not in the chamber at the present time - any of the Independent MLAs who intend to stand on their own "party" ticket should be entitled, similarly, to use the word "independent" in relation to themselves. I know that one particular member will put forward a party with his name and the word "independents" beside it at the top of the column on the ballot paper. That is another matter. We have decided already on the structure of the ballot paper. The only question is whether finetuning like this should occur. As I have indicated, the Liberal Party believes that that is worth supporting because, on balance, it is appropriate for those persons who are in that grouped non-party column not to be able to call themselves Independents as well as being in a party grouping, so to speak. So, Madam Speaker, those things having been said, the Liberal Party supports the amending Bill before the Assembly tonight.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
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