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 cities with people and organisations that have told the committee about how they think the electoral system can be improved or that have some expertise in this area.

Today we will hear from recently retired Australian Democrats senator, Mr Andrew Murray, who will expand on the Democrats’ submission to the inquiry. While in the parliament, Mr Murray was a valued member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, where he made a significant contribution to the work of the committee over a period of more than 10 years.

The committee will also hear from the state manager for the Australian Electoral Commission about the conduct of the 2007 federal election in Western Australia. Other witnesses include the Greens Western Australia, the Association for the Blind of Western Australia, Mr William Bowe and the Council for the National Interest, Western Australia. I would like to thank today’s witnesses for appearing.

[9.14 am]