Election Laws to be changed

The Federal Government has released its proposed new electoral laws, including plans to close rolls on the day an election is called and ban prisoners from voting.

Australians will have to produce proof of identity to enrol to vote and rolls will close the day a vote is called for everyone except those who turn 18 or become citizens. Those people will have three days to sign up. Prisoners serving full-time sentences will not be allowed to vote but can stay on the roll. Paid online electoral advertising will have to be authorised in the same way as print advertisements.

The threshold for disclosure of political donations will rise to $10,000 with contributions to political parties of up to $1,500 to be tax deductible.

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The changes will be brought before Parliament this week.