Queensland Olympics minister Tim Mander has been referred to the Australian Federal Police over suspicions he may have committed a potential criminal offence after allegedly enrolling to vote at a staffer’s home address last year without living there.
The Australian Electoral Commission said it assessed the matter, gave Mander an opportunity to provide information supporting his enrolment claim and then referred it to the AFP on 19 May for consideration and any action it found appropriate. The commission said there was still no determination in the case and said there was currently an absence of compelling evidence that Mander resided at the enrolled address.
The allegations concern a registration to vote at the home of an electorate officer in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. Under electoral law, voters are only eligible for enrolment at an address if they have lived there for more than one month, and the commission said the issue raised a potential criminal offence under the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Mander denied wrongdoing and told parliament last week that he had complied with electoral laws at all times. He said on 21 April that he had experienced a marriage separation over a year ago, and that he updated the Electoral Commission of Queensland with his correct details when his circumstances changed. He also said he was currently enrolled at his permanent address.
It is public knowledge that he had a marriage separation over a year ago, and many who have experienced similar circumstances would understand the uncertainty that can follow, he told parliament. During this period, he said, he was fortunate to have friends to whom he could turn for support. He said he had updated the Electoral Commission of Queensland with his correct details when his circumstances changed, and that he was enrolled at his permanent address and had complied with the requirements of the commission at all times.
The referral came after The Australian reported that Mander registered to vote at the home of the electorate officer. Labor deputy opposition leader Cameron Dick then called on Premier David Crisafulli to stand Mander down while the allegations were investigated, adding more pressure at a time when the minister had already been facing intensifying political scrutiny in recent weeks.
The AFP will now decide whether the referral requires further action, but the Electoral Commission has not yet ruled on the substance of the enrolment claim. For Mander, the central question is whether the address he used last year can be justified under electoral law; for the authorities, it is whether the evidence is enough to support a criminal inquiry.
