Australia, ‘the most voter-friendly country in the world’? Examining voting rights for people with physical disabilities

Abstract

Despite Australia’s reputation as a jurisdiction with enviable voter enfranchisement and participation procedures, people with physical disabilities are inadequately catered for by federal and state/territory electoral processes. While alternative voting schemes seek to address this issue, they are either too narrowly constructed, carry election integrity risks, or otherwise provide a voting experience lacking independence. This article examines adequate enfranchisement for people with physical disabilities in the context of Australia’s international human rights law obligations, including the case study of Given v Australia. Barriers to full enfranchisement of people with physical disabilities are considered, including cost, logistics and political will.