Election exemptions: what they are and how do they work?

Elections are again underway, after they were suspended in 2020 due to safety concerns with COVID-19. Organisations interested in conducting their own elections (instead of using the Australian Electoral Commission, which is the default position under legislation) have approached the ROC for guidance and we have assisted them to navigate the process. 

Some organisations need to have elections as soon as possible to ensure they have enough elected officers to achieve a quorum for decision making, while others want greater control over the timing and conduct of their elections or want to change the method of their election. These are some of the election issues the ROC has been helping organisations and branches to work through. 

In our latest episode of ROCpod we discuss the challenges and offer practical solutions to them, including how a registered organisation can obtain an exemption to conduct their own elections. 

Episode highlights

3:20 Impact of the suspension of elections for registered organisations
7:38 Running your own elections
10:30 Applying for an exemption
18:55 How long is an exemption valid?
23:20 Electronic elections

Episode 19 transcript

Disclaimer

ROCpod is the official podcast of the Registered Organisations Commission. It is copyright to the Commonwealth of Australia. The opinions expressed in ROCpod are the opinions of the particular speaker and not necessarily the opinions of the Registered Organisations Commission. This information is general and is not intended to be comprehensive, it is designed to assist in gaining an understanding of the relevant provisions of the legislation, the ROC and its work. The ROC is not able to provide legal or accounting advice. For further information please see the materials on our website www.roc.gov.au or contact us at regorgs@roc.gov.au