ERRN WA 'Elections, Engagement and Democracy Workshop'

About the Workshop

The convenors of the Electoral Regulation Research Network in WA organised a full-day workshop to discuss issues relating to elections, engagement and democracy. The event was hosted by the ERRN through the University of Melbourne Law School.

The program presenters represented a cross-section of views from practice, academia, politics and the media. Topics covered by the speakers included discussions about compulsory voting in Australia and overseas, declining elector engagement and options to address it, use and outcomes of Australian voting methods in America, lowering the voting age, truth in political advertising, parliamentary scrutiny of electoral innovation, trends and implications of convenience voting and the changing role of the media.

The presentations were very engaging and thought-provoking, giving rise to interesting discussions during and after the workshop.

The workshop was very well attended, with representatives including fellow ERRN convenors, academics and representatives from a number of electoral commissions across the country.

The Speakers

Jill Sheppard, Australian National University
Nick Economou, Monash University
Ben Reilly, University of Western Australia
Sarah Murray, University of Western Australia
Graeme Orr, University of Queensland
Luke Beck, Monash University
Andrew Giles MP, Deputy Chair of Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Stephen Mills, University of Sydney
Martin Drum, Notre Dame University
Narelle Miragliotta, Monash University
Andrea Carson, LaTrobe University
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Justin Harbord, Western Australian Electoral Commission
Paul Thornton-Smith, Victorian Electoral Commission