Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Murray, meaning it was unsuccessful.

Motion text

(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 4), before item 1, insert:

1A After paragraph 7(1)(fa)

Insert:

(fb) to conduct plebiscites in localities where major infrastructure projects are proposed.

Note: Examples of major infrastructure projects include a dam, a desalination plant, a pulp mill, a nuclear facility and harbour dredging.

(2) Schedule 1, item 1, page 4 (after line 5), at the end of the item, add:

(1H) To ensure that communities in which a major infrastructure project is to be established have authorised that establishment and have consented to the health, welfare, safety and environmental impacts and risks of the establishment of the major infrastructure project, for the purposes of paragraph 7(1)(fb), a plebiscite must be conducted by the Commission in every federal electorate within 0.5km of the boundary of the major infrastructure project seeking approval for the establishment of the facility.

(1I) A major infrastructure project may not proceed unless a plebiscite has first been conducted in accordance with subsection (1H).

(3) Schedule 1, page 4 (after line 5), after item 1, insert:

1A After section 7A

Insert:

7AB Preparation of arguments for and against an infrastructure project for which a plebiscite is to be conducted

(1) A plebiscite may not be conducted in accordance with paragraph 7(1)(fb) unless an argument in favour of the proposed major infrastructure project (the project) and an argument against the proposed major infrastructure project has first been prepared in relation to the plebiscite for that major infrastructure project.

(2) The argument for and the argument against the project must include a statement consisting of not more than 2,000 words, which includes:

(a) an analysis of the costs and benefits of the project;

(b) an analysis of the environmental impacts of the project;

(c) a consideration of alternative options to the project.

(3) The argument in favour of the project may be submitted to the Electoral Commission by the chief proponent or proponents for the project.

(4) The argument against the project may be submitted to the Electoral Commission by the chief opponent or opponents of the project.

(5) The Electoral Commission must cause to be printed and to be posted to each elector within the area in which the plebiscite is to be conducted a pamphlet containing the arguments for and against the project.