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Central governmentAgency

Australian Electoral Office

AEO

1973 – 21 February 1984

Previously Chief Electoral Office (1902–1973).

Commonwealth electoral administration headed by the Chief Australian Electoral Officer, which conducted federal elections and referendums and maintained the electoral roll.

Names over time

  1. Chief Electoral Office1902–1973
  2. Australian Electoral Office1973–1984

How it came into existence

Formed in 1973 when the Chief Electoral Office, then in the Department of Services and Property, was renamed the Australian Electoral Office and its head became the Chief Australian Electoral Officer.

Legislation: Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Changes during its life

  1. 7 October 1975Moved to the Department of Administrative Services when it replaced the Department of Services and Property.
  2. 22 December 1975Continued in the Department of Administrative Services re-created by the Fraser government.
  3. 11 March 1983Moved to the new Department of the Special Minister of State, which took over electoral matters from the Department of Administrative Services under the Hawke government.

How it ended

Replaced on 21 February 1984 by the Australian Electoral Commission, an independent statutory authority created by the Commonwealth Electoral Legislation Amendment Act 1983.

Main functions

  • Conduct of federal elections and referendums
  • Maintenance of the Commonwealth electoral roll
  • Support for electoral redistributions
  • Public information on enrolment and voting

Where it sits

Last in the portfolio of Department of the Special Minister of State.

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.