Fixed terms for Federal governments and voter safety are among the key topics of a Parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 Federal election.
The Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters today announced it was accepting submissions to its inquiry into the federal poll held earlier this year.
Committee Chair Jerome Laxale said the inquiry’s terms of reference focussed on emerging issues such as the composition of the parliament as a whole, including the length of the parliamentary term, the potential for fixed terms, and the number of elected representatives relative to the growth in population and the electorate.
Mr Laxale said they would also look at the purported increase in incidents of aggressive conduct, deliberate obstruction, and intimidating behaviour towards voters, political participants, volunteers, and Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) officials.
He said the committee would also consider reforms to address the ongoing threats of interference, both foreign and domestic, in the electoral system.
“The inquiry plays an important role in ensuring the Australian public have their say in how their elections are run.
“We have one of the oldest and most respected democracies on earth. Keeping that standard requires ongoing scrutiny.”
Mr Laxale said matters widely reported during the 2025 election raised serious questions about safety, security and voter experience.
“Voters, volunteers and officials should never feel intimidated, harassed or have such an experience that they are discouraged from participating at future elections.”
He said the full terms of reference for the inquiry are available on the inquiry webpage, with submissions now invited, prior to the Committee commencing public hearings in mid-October.
