The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) are both reviewing the membership details of all political parties to ensure they meet the registration requirements of having at least 500 members.
To keep the DLP registered for Federal and State elections you must respond to any electoral commission correspondence you may receive, confirming you are a member of the DLP.
As most members are aware, the AEC reviews the registration and membership of all registered political parties every 3 years or so, between Federal elections. Similarly, the VEC reviews the registration of all political parties every 4 years.
During these reviews the AEC and VEC will check a list of our members against the relevant electoral roll they will contact our members to ensure the details of their membership are correct. If a minimum of 500 respond to the correspondence the party will remain registered and be entitled to stand in Federal and State elections. However, if fewer than 500 members reply, the party may be deregistered and unable to stand in any future elections.
We know our members are loyal to the DLP but unfortunately, there is a degree of apathy that creeps in when registration time rolls around. Too many of our members adopt the opinion that they need not reply because “someone else will do it”. This is the attitude that could see us de-registered. We cannot afford to disappear when we are so desperately needed.
All members should expect to receive something from the AEC in the next couple of months. When you get this AEC form, please complete and return it immediately – the DLP needs you to say:
YES – I am a Member of the DLP
If you have any queries, please contact Federal Secretary Stephen Campbell at secretary@dlp.org.au or 0438 650 776.
