"Bloody hopeless": Ben Fordham blasts last minute voting changes
Radio host Ben Fordham has slammed the "hopeless" Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for their last minute changes to voting if you are Covid positive.
The AEC's original system involved telephone voting for people who had contracted Covid after 6pm on Tuesday, while individuals who tested positive before this time being able to register for a postal vote, which had to be applied for by 6pm on Wednesday.
This system meant that anyone who tested positive before Tuesday and had missed the postal vote deadline would not be able to vote in the federal election.
Ben Fordham blasted the system, as he heard from a listener who said they were told not to vote, cop the $55 fine, and then dispute the fine.
"But Ben, we want to vote!" said the caller.
Fordham says denying people the right to vote is “undemocratic” and "everyone must have their say."
"Do they understand that when someone tests positive, their first thought isn't jumping on the AEC website? If you tested positive before 6pm on Tuesday, you may have had a few other things on your mind," he said.
"Someone must fix it, and fix it today."
Following Fordham's slating, the AEC said it had approved a brief recommending the government change the regulation so people who got positive tests between Saturday and Tuesday can also phone vote.
“This morning I have signed a brief recommending for the eligibility for the service be expanded.” AEC electoral commissioner Tom Rogers said.
“We have analysed the service’s take-up so far, our staffing levels and forecasts for use, and are in urgent discussions with Government about the concerns expressed by members of the public,” he said.
Speaking with ABC Radio Breakfast, Mr Rogers clarified the new rules for all Australians with Covid after the matter has been resolved with the government.
The AEC confirmed that all people who are Covid positive are able to vote over the phone, with people urged to register their positive tests online as soon as possible.
Mr Rogers has urged all people voting over the phone to be patient with AEC officers, saying this is an "emergency provision" as "nothing is without risk", and telephone voters should expect "long queues over the phone".
He also encouraged people who have enrolled for telephone voting not to wait until the last minute to cast their vote.
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