Media Releases

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty urges people throughout the Lowan Electorate to make sure that their electoral details are correct and up to date ahead of the State Election on 27^th November, 2010.

“It is important that everyone who is eligible to vote has provide the correct details to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). Voting is compulsory in Victorian State Elections and anyone who fails to vote without an adequate reason may be fined,” Mr Delahunty said

“New residents to the Lowan Electorate need to make sure that they have updated their residential address details with the VEC.”

Mr Delahunty said it was timely to remind young people who have turned eighteen and have not yet enrolled to vote to do so now.

“The close of rolls is 8pm on Tuesday 9 November so anyone who needs to enrol to vote or update their electoral roll details should do so before this date.”

Mr Delahunty said that the VEC has developed an online enrolment application to help make new enrolments easier and forms are now available at http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Enrol/enrol-forms.html

Voters have various voting options available to them which include early voting, voting by post and on Election Day polling booths.

Family members who may be no longer capable of understanding voting can be removed from the electoral role.

Postal vote application forms will be available at all VEC election offices, post offices and the VEC website from Wednesday, 3 November 2010.

People who cannot get to a voting centre on Election Day can vote at an early voting centre from 15 to 26 November. Early voting centres located in or near the Lowan Electorate are located at 142-144 Firebrace Street, Horsham and 114 Thompson Street, Hamilton.

An early voting centre for people who will be interstate on Election Day is available in each of the state and territory capital cities, for the full list go to the VEC website.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has congratulated John Forrest on being returned to the Federal seat of Mallee and Dan Tehan on winning the Federal seat of Wannon.

“Across Australia this was a close and hard fought election as the results show but I am hopeful the Coalition will form government.  Locally it is very pleasing to see Mallee and Wannon remain in Coalition hands,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said there were a number of issues that needed attention in western Victoria including funding for improved roads and bridges as well as improvements to telecommunications not only mobile phone coverage but also access to broadband.

“I will also be talking with my Federal colleagues on health issues, especially the support for the retention and attraction of doctors, nurses and allied health staff to western Victoria.”

“Our young people are our investment in the future and I am looking for the return to reasonable access to youth allowance for country students and at the other end of the scale there needs to be increased support for our older residents and facilities to care for them.”

“I look forward to working closely with John and Dan for the betterment of the people of western Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is urging constituents to ensure they are correctly enrolled in the lead up to Enrol to Vote Week.

“This initiative coincides with a double election year and highlights the importance of being correctly enrolled so you have a voice at election time,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Victorian and Federal governments will be holding elections later this year and people can only have their say on who and how things should be run if they are enrolled to vote.”

“Many young Australians, such as those aged 17 and 18, will be eligible to vote for the first time and should ensure they are eligible by adding their name to the electoral roll.

Mr Delahunty said enrolling to vote is a very simple process of logging on to www.aec.gov.au or completing a form available at any Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) office, Australia Post outlet, or at any Medicare, Centrelink, or Australian Tax Office.

“Enrol to Vote week is a timely reminder for those who have voted in previous elections to check and update their address details.  When we move we all remember to change our details with the bank and service companies – but what about the Electoral Commission?

“It is so easy to forget to do this and as a result many people ‘drop off’ the roll, perhaps without even knowing it,” Mr Delahunty said.

“People can also check their enrolment on the AEC website and, if necessary, update their details while online.”

“People are affected by government decisions everyday and could only do something about it if enrolled.

“Many, many people go to their local MPs for advice, with suggestions or complaints about government services such as roads, education and access to health services.  But power to change things ultimately rests with those who have the vote.

“Remember, having a vote equals having a say,” Mr Delahunty said.