1 October 1999

Australia Post has commenced Australia's biggest ever mailout with more than 12 million Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) referendum 'Yes'/'No' case pamphlets to be delivered to all electors in Australia.

Electors should begin to look out for the pamphlet in their letterbox today.

The mailout will take place over a four week period. The task has been scheduled so that material for electors in remote areas was sent out first from 27 September and all deliveries are expected to be posted by 22 October.

The 72-page pamphlet contains the arguments for and against the two referendum questions and a complete copy of the Constitution showing the proposed changes.

The text of the pamphlet has been written by the Members of Parliament who voted for or against the proposed law to change the Constitution.

Assistant Director Information at the AEC, Anthea Wilson said that the referendum Act requires the AEC to publish and post a pamphlet to every person registered on the Commonwealth electoral roll.

"It is a major logistical challenge to ensure that nearly every adult Australian will receive their own individually addressed copy of the pamphlet at least a fortnight before polling day," Ms Wilson said.

Ms Wilson said that this would give electors a fortnight in which to consider the various arguments before voting in the Referendum on Saturday 6 November.

Some people may get two copies as logistics to produce the pamphlet meant production had to start before the rolls closed for the Referendum.

Further information:

Anthea Wilson: 0413 452 539

Brien Hallett: 02 6271 4415