Royal Commission upon the Commonwealth Electoral Law and Administration
Royal Commission upon the Commonwealth electoral law and administration · Electoral Royal Commission · Electoral Commission (1914)
20 January 1914 – 14 July 1915
A commission of members of Parliament that inquired into allegations of electoral irregularities at the 1913 federal election and into the Commonwealth electoral law and its administration.
How it came into existence
Appointed by Letters Patent dated 20 January 1914 by the Cook government, which had deferred its Electoral Bill pending the inquiry. Its chairman was Hugh Sinclair, member for Moreton; members included William Maloney, William Laird Smith and Richard Foster. It took evidence throughout the States on alleged roll-stuffing, impersonation and the conduct of the 1913 election.
Changes during its life
- 15 April 1914Interim report laid before Parliament.
How it ended
Its final report was presented to Parliament on 14 July 1915, ending the commission. It found the allegations of corruption unsubstantiated and recommended changes to electoral law, including the restoration of postal voting.
Main functions
- Alleged irregularities at the 1913 federal election
- Electoral rolls and their administration
- Amendments to Commonwealth electoral law, including postal voting
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
Government records and websites
- Parliamentary Handbook: Royal Commissions (dates of Letters Patent and final reports)
- Final report (ParlInfo)
- Historic Hansard: House of Representatives, 15 April 1914 (interim report tabled)
- Historic Hansard: House of Representatives, 14 July 1915 (final report tabled)
- Historic Hansard: House of Representatives, 31 October 1918 (member's account of the commission)