Spotlight on Democracy ANNUAL REPORT 2018–2019 About the VEC Our vision Our history and functions All Victorians actively participating in their democracy. Elections for the Victorian Parliament began when Victoria achieved independence from New South Wales in 1851. In 1910, Victoria’s first Chief Electoral Inspector was Our purpose appointed to head the new State Electoral Office. To deliver high quality, accessible electoral services with The State Electoral Office existed as part of a public innovation, integrity and independence. service department for 70 years. However, it became increasingly clear that it was inappropriate for the Our values conduct of elections to be subject to ministerial direction. On 1 January 1989, legislation established the • Independence: acting with impartiality and integrity independent statutory office of Electoral Commissioner • Accountability: transparent reporting and effective who was to report to Parliament instead of a Minister. stewardship of resources In 1995, the State Electoral Office was renamed the • Innovation: shaping our future through creativity Victorian Electoral Commission. and leadership The VEC’s functions and operations are governed by six • Respect: consideration of self, others and main pieces of legislation: the environment • Electoral Act 2002 - establishes the VEC as an • Collaboration: working as a team with partners independent statutory authority, sets out the and communities functions and powers of the VEC and prescribes processes for State elections • Constitution Act 1975 - sets out who is entitled to Our people and partners enrol as an elector, who is entitled to be elected to The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has a core staff Parliament, and the size and term of Parliament of dedicated and highly skilled people whose specialised • Financial Management Act 1994 - governs the way the knowledge ensures the success of its operations. At VEC manages finances and financial reporting times of peak activity, the VEC draws on the experience • Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982 - governs and expertise of a number of associated personnel, such the determination of State electoral boundaries. as election officials and contractors, to complement the Under this legislation, the Victorian Electoral work of its core staff. Valued partnerships with suppliers Commissioner is nominated as a member of the also contribute greatly to the VEC’s achievements. Electoral Boundaries Commission To ensure inclusion and participation, the VEC works • Local Government Act 1989 - provides for the closely with a range of advisory and community groups. conduct of local government elections and electoral These groups primarily consist of representatives of representation reviews under-represented communities, including: • Infringements Act 2006 - provides for stages 2 and 3 of • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities compulsory voting enforcement. • young people Subject to these Acts, the VEC: • people experiencing homelessness • maintains the electoral enrolment register • people living with disabilities and • conducts State elections, local government • culturally and linguistically diverse communities. elections, statutory elections and polls and The VEC thanks all advisory and community group fee-for-service elections members and their organisations for their contributions • conducts electoral boundary reviews and to its work during 2018–19. • administers political funding and disclosure laws. The VEC pays respect to Victoria’s traditional owners and The VEC also has a mandated role to conduct electoral their elders past, present and emerging who have been research, provide communication and education custodians of this country for many thousands of years. services and to inform and engage Victorians in the Their living culture and their role in the life of Victoria is democratic process. acknowledged by the VEC. A list of legislation and regulations governing the VEC is included in Appendix B on page 136. Contents Victorian Electoral Commission About the VEC Inside front cover Level 11, 530 Collins Street About this report 2 Melbourne Vic 3000 Our highlights 4 Telephone: (03) 8620 1100 OUR YEAR 5 Website: vec.vic.gov.au Finance at a glance 9 Email: [email protected] Our strategic plan 12 Office hours: OUR COMMISSION 21 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Governance 22 Monday – Friday Organisational structure 23 Letter of transmittal The Office of the Electoral Commissioner 24 The Executive Management Group 25 The Hon. Gavin Jennings MLC Internal committees and groups 29 Special Minister of State 1 Treasury Place External advisory groups 31 East Melbourne Vic 3002 Governing legislation and tribunals 34 Accountability and transparency 35 Dear Minister Disclosures 38 In accordance with the requirements of the Financial OUR CORE BUSINESS 43 Management Act 1994, I am pleased to submit the Annual 2018 State election 44 Report of the Victorian Electoral Commission for the Other electoral activity 48 year ending 30 June 2019 for presentation to Parliament. Enforcement of compulsory voting 54 Also included is the Report of the Electoral Boundaries Commission for the year ending 30 June 2019. Register of electors 56 Warehouse 62 Yours sincerely Research and development 63 Funding and disclosure 65 OUR STAKEHOLDERS 67 Inclusion and participation 68 1 Disability action plan 72 Annual Report 2018-19 Commission Electoral Victorian Reconciliation action plan 73 Warwick Gately AM Services to political parties 74 Electoral Commissioner Interaction with electoral bodies 79 OUR PEOPLE 81 Human resource management 82 Staff profile 85 Occupational health and safety 87 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 93 Financial report 94 Declaration in Financial Statements 96 Comprehensive operating statement 97 Balance sheet 98 Statement of changes in equity 99 Cash flow statement 100 Notes to the financial statements 101 Auditor-general’s report 131 APPENDICES 133 GLOSSARY 141 INDEX 144 About this report This report provides a summary of programs and initiatives implemented to meet the key objectives set out in Strategy 2023. This report has been published in accordance with Financial Reporting Direction (FRD) 30C. As part of the VEC’s environmental sustainability activity, only the required number was printed, and environmentally friendly paper and printing processes were used. 5 21 43 Our Our Our year commission core business In this section, the Electoral Good corporate governance and The VEC’s core business includes the Commissioner, Warwick Gately AM, transparent reporting help ensure conduct of elections, maintenance of provides a summary of key activities continued public confidence in the the register of electors and ensuring and achievements for 2018–19 and VEC and its processes. fair and equitable representation the outlook for 2019–20. The report This section provides detail of the for voters at State and local includes, among other things, an VEC’s regulatory environment and government levels. overview of the 2018 State election, governance and organisational The 2018 State election was a progress in implementing Strategy structures, key persons and staff significant ‘whole of Commission’ 2023 and commentary on how the profiles, disclosure requirements event. Yet, it was not the only VEC has met its general compliance and the corporate systems that electoral event during the year. 2 and accountability responsibilities. enable the VEC to deliver its core A further 39 election activities Victorian Electoral Commission Annual Report 2018-19 Commission Electoral Victorian Chief Financial Officer, Binh Le, business and operate effectively and were conducted, including provides an overview of the VEC’s efficiently on a day-to-day basis. local government by-elections, financial performance. A summary Accountability to the Victorian public countbacks, commercial elections of achievement against the VEC’s and Parliament is critical, and the and polls, and local government strategic initiatives is included in VEC’s good corporate citizenship electoral representation reviews. this section. is evidenced by its performance in areas such as diversity, inclusion, accessibility, sustainability, information management and reporting. Information relating to internal and external advisory groups is also detailed in this section. These advisory groups play an important role for the VEC. 67 81 93 Our Our Financial stakeholders people statements This section includes details of the The VEC is developing a working The VEC is pleased to provide ‘value VEC’s efforts to inform and engage environment that is empowering, for money’ electoral services to the electors as voters and candidates, engaging, stimulating and inspiring. Victorian public. Once again, the provide accessible voting services This section highlights the VEC’s VEC’s sound financial management and ensure electors know how to investment in building capability is evidenced by an unqualified report cast a formal vote. across the organisation, and from the Auditor-General. This In the lead up to the November its approach to supporting section provides the VEC’s audited 2018 State election, the VEC Strategy 2023. financial statements for 2018–19. experienced an increase in the number of applications for political 3 party registration resulting in 23 Appendices Annual Report 2018-19 Commission Electoral Victorian parties registered at the election. 133 All Registered Political Parties were briefed on the State election. Information about key stakeholder Glossary groups,