Torres Strait Regional Authority Elections

Statement from TSRA

The Australian Government Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Honourable Jenny Macklin, has announced Saturday 17 May 2008 as polling day for the Torres Strait Regional Authority election for the wards of Port Kennedy; TRAWQ (Tamwoy, Rosehill, Aplin, Waiben and Quarantine); and Horn/Prince of Wales Islands.

From Tuesday 18 March 2008 to 5pm Wednesday 16 April 2008, the Australian Electoral Commission will call for nominations of candidates who wish to contest the election.

To be eligible, prospective candidates must:

be a Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal person
18 years of age or over
be on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll at an address within the ward they wish to represent as well as live in the ward they want to represent
not be a TSRA staff member or consultant to the TSRA
not be bankrupt and there be no personal insolvency agreement in operation with their creditors under the law relating to bankruptcy
not have been sentenced to imprisonment for one year or longer
not have been in prison for dishonesty for three months or longer

Nominations can be made by post, fax or in person, with forms available from the AEC and the TSRA (see contact details below). An Election guide [PDF 1.27MB] is also available from the AEC and the TSRA to assist nominees and voters.

All Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living within these wards who are 18 years of age and over, enrolled on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll by 5pm on Friday 2 May 2008; and enrolled at an address in these wards are encouraged to vote.

On polling day (17 May 2008), voting will occur between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm at a polling place in each Ward. Venues will be advised in the near future.

Should a voter be unable to attend polling day, an absent vote, early vote or postal vote can be arranged. Further details can be obtained by contacting the AEC on the number below.