Marriage Law Survey: Don't delay, enrol today!

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MEDIA RELEASE
22 August 2017
Embargo: 11:30 am (Canberra Time)
100/2017

Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey: Don't delay, enrol today!


The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released further details on the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey process including advice on how people in remote communities, silent electors, elderly people in residential aged care, people with low vision and Australians overseas can participate.

At the direction of the Treasurer, the ABS will collect statistical information from all Australians on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll on whether the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry.

ABS Deputy Australian Statistician Jonathan Palmer said the ABS had been regularly updating information on the survey process on its website and was today providing more information on its inclusion strategies.

“While we expect nearly all eligible people in Australia will receive their survey materials by post, we are implementing measures to make sure everyone has the opportunity to participate in the survey.

“These measures include Interpreter services, survey instructions in 15 languages, capital city sites where eligible people can pick up survey forms, and services to help people with hearing and speech impairments,” Mr Palmer said.

A paperless option will only be available for people who are overseas during the collection period, are visually impaired, living in a residential aged care facility or living in very remote locations.

“In these circumstances, only those eligible Australians will be able to request a secure access code so they can provide an anonymous survey response through an automated telephone service, secure online form or via the Information Line. More information about this is available on the ABS website.

“In the case of silent electors – people whose addresses are not visible on the Electoral Roll – their survey forms will be posted to them by the Australian Electoral Commission. At no time will their details be passed on to the ABS,” he said.

Mr Palmer said the ABS was encouraging eligible Australians to make sure they are correctly enrolled at the correct address on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll by 24 August.

“Regardless of their circumstance, the rolls close at midnight on 24 August, so we are urging people to go on to the AEC website www.aec.gov.au or pick up a form at a post office or AEC office so they are enrolled and can participate,” he said.

The AEC website contains information on how to enrol for people who have no fixed address, for example people experiencing homelessness.

For more information go to www.abs.gov.au

Media Enquiries: Marriage Survey Media Line - 1800 683 051, marriagesurveymedia@abs.gov.au