General

	Click above to visit the Australian Electoral Commission website where you can enrol

Don't just sit there, enrol!

Time is running out to enrol to vote

By the ASU - fighting for your rights at work

Have you heard that there is a federal election around the corner? Do you know that there are many issues affecting you directly that will be determined by who wins government at the next election? But frighteningly, did you know that the current Federal Government changed the laws on enrolling to vote to make it much harder for you to ensure you can vote after an election is called? If you are not yet enrolled or have moved house since you last enrolled, NOW is the time to do something about it!

When the last federal election was called in 2004, nearly 80,000 people enrolled in the week following the announcement. Today, those new voters would be robbed of their right to participate in the election because the rolls now close at 8.00pm on the day the election is announced. The new rules also affect people needing to amend their enrolment following a change of address. For further details on these changes, see our earlier item here: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/rightsatwork/20070416_rightsatwork.html

Think you are already enrolled? It might be wise to check that you are and this can be done easily on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website - remember to input your name exactly as you would have been registered, for example, include middle names: https://oevf.aec.gov.au/

Why vote?

Are you worried about WorkChoices stripping away your rights at work? Does climate change concern you? Is the possibility of a nuclear power plant in your suburb an issue you care about? Does the high cost of a tertiary education stop you studying? Do you find healthcare is getting more and more difficult to access easily? How about the Aussie dream of a house - is it getting out of your reach?

These are just some of the many issues that are directly affected by who happens to be in government. Although a lot of people find politics distasteful, participating in our democracy by voting is the only way most of us can have a direct effect on what happens in our society.

You need to enrol now, really!

Don't let the Howard Government stop you from ensuring you are correctly enrolled for this coming federal election. They changed the laws to make it harder for you to get on the correct roll after an election is called, so beat them at their own game by enrolling BEFORE the federal election is called.

Do it now, don't delay! It's the only way you will be able to play your crucial part on election day by making your voice heard.

Enrolling to vote is easy

The AEC website has a page where you can download the appropriate enrolment form for your state or territory:

• http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Update_enrolment.htm

• https://oevf.aec.gov.au/

• http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/How_To_Enrol/

Remember

You can enrol to vote when you turn 17 and your eligibility will start when you turn 18.

Enrol now and tell your family and friends to enrol too!!

Further information

The Your Rights at Work "Enrol to Vote" page can be found here: http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/campaigns/enroltovote

A recent article in The Age outlining the issues and who is discriminated against with the changes to the Electoral Act: http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/democracy-sold-out-by-enrolment-law/2007/08/29/1188067186728.html

View the AEC TV advertisements here: http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Advertising_2007/tv/