Statement from the Commissioner
The Liberal Party of Australia, New South Wales Division requested an extension of the nomination period from Wednesday, 14 August until Wednesday, 21 August citing a delayed publication of a formal election notice on the NSW Electoral Commission website and concerns that the nomination forms did not reflect requirements set out in legislation.
The Electoral Commissioner for New South Wales (acting), Dr Matthew Phillips, yesterday considered the correspondence and the grounds for the request. On the basis of the available information, the Commissioner was not satisfied that it is possible to lawfully extend the nomination period in line with the request and, even if it were, it would not be appropriate to do so given the very significant ramifications it would have for the conduct of the elections.
Additional correspondence from the Liberal Party of Australia, New South Wales Division was received by the Commissioner today. He has reviewed the information and communicated to the party his decision remains unchanged.
The Commissioner accepts a formal election notice was published on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website 5 days prior to close of nominations, rather than 7 days. However, the Commissioner had widely publicised the nomination date and related information on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website, as well as through state-wide advertising via print and social media months in advance of the nomination date. It had also communicated this information directly to parties and candidates on numerous occasions since May 2024.
The Commission first published the nomination date on its website in October 2023. The Commissioner does not consider there could have been a realistic possibility that officials of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party of Australia, or persons proposing to run as candidates endorsed by that party, could have been unaware of the nomination day or of the processes by which nominations could be made.
On Sunday, the Commissioner said the delivery of the election was the focus of his agency.
"The NSW Electoral Commission staff remains focused on the delivery of the elections. Our Returning officers are in place across the state and the election period is now in full swing with ballot paper production underway. Full details about the election, including candidates in ballot paper order can be found on our website,” Dr Phillips said.