DEFENCE members have been advised of new a ADF voting policy in a revised DI(G) after the Directorate of Personnel Policy (DPP) recently reviewed old procedures.

As part of this review, DPP staff held discussions with state, territory and commonwealth electoral officials and met with staff from HQ Australian Theatre (HQAST).

Ted Grant, DPP, said while the scope of information in DI(G)A 52-1 remained valid, the most significant issue identified was that the previous policy provided few guidelines on election and voting responsibilities.

"Individual members have a responsibility to vote, and electoral commissions have a responsibility to provide the mechanisms that allow a member to vote," he said.

"The ADF has a responsibility to take every feasible measure to facilitate the voting process.

"In the past, ADF responsibilities had not been clearly defined and there have been a number of occasions where the system failed and members had been denied the opportunity to vote."

He said the revised DI(G) provided detailed information on voting responsibilities as well as additional information on voting procedures.

"There is also a detailed list of state and territory electoral offices and contact details.

"DPP advises all ADF members of impending elections along with details for obtaining postal-vote applications.

"Individual voter participation by Defence personnel serving overseas is a personal issue, but every effort is being made to encourage correct enrolment by members and also to ensure that appropriate voting arrangements are in place."

He said HQAST was responsible for voting arrangements for deployed forces by identifying eligible personnel and putting in place all possible measures to facilitate the voting process.

"A brochure detailing voting procedures is being developed and will be made available to all ADF personnel."

Further information can be found in DI(G)A 52-1 or by contacting your orderly room or shopfront.

By Pte Alisha Carr