About the NSW Electoral Commissioner
The NSW Electoral Commissioner is a statutory office appointed by the Governor of New South Wales. The Electoral Commissioner is responsible for the management and operation of the NSW Electoral Commission staff agency.
The Electoral Commissioner administers the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912, the Electoral Act 2017, a number of other Acts (or provisions of Acts) that relate voter enrolment and electoral rolls, and the conduct of elections.
Electoral Commissioners are appointed to terms up to ten years, and can be renewed once. The role is politically independent and must be entirely impartial and non-partisan.
In order to preserve the impartiality and integrity of both the role and the Electoral Commission, Electoral Commissioners do not report to the Government, but to a bi-partisan joint standing committee of Parliament. They cannot be removed from office without the approval of Parliament and, unlike most citizens of New South Wales, they are not required to vote.
NSW Electoral Commissioner (Acting)
Dr Matthew Phillips BA (Hons 1), PhD
Dr Matthew Phillips was appointed acting NSW Electoral Commissioner by the Governor of New South Wales effective 6 April 2024.
Matt joined the Electoral Commission in 2016 as the Executive Director Corporate and Chief Audit Executive leading functions including finance and procurement, Communications, People & Safety, the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office and Funding Transformation. Prior to joining the NSW Electoral Commission Matt held senior executive roles in Australian and New South Wales government agencies, and in local government.
From time to time the NSW Electoral Commissioner may make a statement about an issue if it is deemed appropriate and in the public interest.