That Australia preserves the right of people with disability to vote in elections on an equal basis with others by removing section 93(8) of the Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) (‘unsound mind’ provision) and/or enacts alternate legislation restoring the presumption of the capacity of people with disability to vote and exercise choice.
That Australia conducts a thorough, critical review of the legislative and administrative arrangements governing electoral matters to ensure that people with disability can fully and equally participate in electoral processes, including obtaining the right to cast a secret ballot freely and independently.
That Australia ensures that all aspects of voting in an election are made accessible to all citizens with a disability who are eligible to vote by:
enabling people with disability to more easily register for a postal or pre-poll vote;
ensuring access to voting places that allow access by public transport and entry to polling stations;
providing voting information and forms in alternative formats; and
making available electronically assisted forms of voting to those who need it, regardless of cost of providing this facility.
That Australia ensures that voting materials including ‘how to vote’ information and the materials involved in recording and lodging votes are provided in alternative formats. This includes the provision of hearing augmentation systems, Auslan interpreters, audio descriptions, Braille versions of documents, materials in easy and plain English and the right to have a person of own choosing to assist with the voting process.
That Australia ensures voting rights for all Australian citizens held in custody, regardless of the length of their prison sentence.
That public services in all jurisdictions increase opportunities and support for people with disability to play an active role in public administration.
That Australia addresses leadership development for people with disability by resourcing people with disability and their representative organisations to develop leadership development initiatives and to promote participation by people with disability in all areas of political and civic life at all tiers of government in Australia.
That Australia provides adequate resources to representative organisations of people with disability to enable them to participate in the policy process.
