CHAIR (Mr Melham) —I declare open this public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiring into the conduct of the 2007 federal election. Today’s hearing continues a series of consultations in the major capital cities with people and organisations who have told the committee about how they think the electoral system can be improved or who have some expertise in this area. Today we will hear from former Electoral Commissioner and electoral expert, Emeritus Professor Colin Hughes. He will be followed by Mr Darrell Main, who was a candidate for the seat of Fisher at the 2007 federal election. We will then hear from the Australian Electoral Commission, followed by Mr David Kerslake, Electoral Commissioner for Queensland.

I thank today’s witnesses for appearing. At this stage I acknowledge receipt of a letter from the Australian Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ian Campbell, who has advised the committee that the commission has initiated a review of the decision of the Court of Disputed Returns in the McEwen case on the policies, guidelines, procedures, manuals and training provided to electoral officials when making decisions about the formality of ballot papers for future elections. The committee looks forward to receiving advice from the commission about the results of this review.

[9.30 am]