The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has reported a Federal Election candidate to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly nominating to contest seats in both New South Wales and Western Australia in the forthcoming national election.
In a statement, the AEC said the candidate was formally declared as a candidate at public events on 22 April for both the Division of Banks (NSW) and the Division of Brand (WA).
The Commission said the candidate’s nomination for two electoral divisions was in contravention of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
“Each nomination form had a signed declaration that the candidate did not intend to be a candidate in any other election held the same day,” the AEC said.
“The two nominations were for two separate political parties – Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (Banks) and the Australian Federation Party (Brand),” it said.
“Each nomination form had differences in the listed information – including a different date of birth, and a different expression of the candidate’s name.”
The AEC said that given the declarations were false it has referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police for investigation as to whether a crime has been committed under section 136 and/or 137 of the Criminal Code.
It said it had notified the candidate and both registered political parties regarding the referral.
It said the contravention of the Electoral Act rendered the candidate “incapable” of being elected.
“However, candidate nominations for the Divisions of Banks and Brand must remain as they were formally declared on 22 April 2022,” the AEC said.
“Ballot papers have been printed and some postal voters have already received their postal voting packs.”
