Committee urges safeguards after 2025 federal election
Australia’s Electoral Matters Committee has released an interim report on the 2025 federal election, calling for new safeguards at polling places, more transparency in electoral material and changes linked to pre-poll voting.
On 30th June 2026, the committee published the report. Its recommendations respond to conduct seen in target seats during the 2025 campaign and voting period.
Committee chair Jerome Laxale MP said, “The interim report provides a response to the assault on democracy that many witnessed at the 2025 election.”
Across target seats in 2025, the committee found established norms at polling places broke down. It pointed to intimidation and confrontation at some sites around the country.
Laxale said, “In target seats, the 2025 federal election saw the established norms for conduct at polling places shattered.”
Some polling places were “flooded with participants” and no longer acted as models of civic cooperation. Voters, seasoned campaigners and Australian Electoral Commission staff expressed shock at the change.
Its interim report recommends measures to regulate behaviour, increase transparency and provide a safe environment for voters. It also examines the growth in pre-poll voting at the 2025 federal election.
Another group of recommendations targets authorisation requirements. Those changes aim to show the public who is funding electoral material and who is responsible for it.
Generative AI and parliament terms
Not all inquiry terms of reference are covered in the interim report. More evidence is still needed on generative AI in electoral matter, fixed and extended parliamentary terms, and the size of parliament.
Following the 30th June 2026 release, the committee will continue public hearings and consider more evidence. Its final report is due in November 2026.
Readers can follow the inquiry at www.aph.gov.au/em. The website includes submissions, details for upcoming public hearings and a blue Track Committee button for email updates.
