The report by former Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty into the missing Western Australian Senate ballot papers has found no evidence of deliberate wrong-doing but the mystery remains unsolved.
Keelty’s report says the AEC systems in place in W.A. made it difficult for him to reach a conclusive finding. He recommends a number of measures for storage and movement of ballots papers and for the disposal of other material during counting.
A reading of Keelty’s report suggests the possibility of accidental disposal and destruction of the ballot papers. Training and management of casual staff is also pinpointed.
Counting shows that the disappearance of 1,370 Senate ballot papers had the potential to alter the Senate result in WA. The AEC has itself petitioned the Court of Disputed Returns to void the result of the election. The case has not yet been heard but a new Senate election is expected in 2014.
- Keelty’s report is shown below
Media release from the Australian Electoral Commission.
Keelty report released
The Australian Electoral Commission today released a report by Mr Mick Keelty AO inquiring into the circumstances of 1370 missing Western Australian Senate votes.