[gui-talk] Fwd: Article: First secret ballot for 300, 000 Australians

[Steve Pattison]

>From: Disability Rights Unit disabdis at humanrights.gov.au
>To: vip-l at softspeak.com.au
>
>First 'secret' ballot for 300,000 Australians
>
>Monday, 16 July 2007
>
>The Federal Government's announcement that Australians who are blind 
>or have low vision will finally enjoy a 'secret' ballot following 
>the trial of electronic voting was warmly welcomed by Australia's 
>Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes, today.
>
>People will enter their votes using a keypad, with the assistance of 
>large-screen or speech technology, then print out the vote and place 
>it in the ballot box.
>
>The Hon. Gary Nairn MP, Special Minister of State, today announced 
>the 29 sites across Australia where this trial of electronic voting 
>will take place at the upcoming Federal Election.
>
>"I have voted in elections since 1973 and this will be the first 
>time I have had a truly secret ballot," said Commissioner Innes, who 
>is blind.
>
>"I'm very excited about the independence this will give me and the 
>full recognition of my rights as a citizen. The government are to be 
>congratulated for this initiative."
>
>The trial will take place in all capital cities and some regional areas.
>
>"I strongly encourage Australians who are blind or have low vision 
>to take up this opportunity, so that the Federal Parliament will 
>make this a permanent feature of our voting process," Mr Innes said.

Regards Steve
Email:  srp at internode.on.net
Skype:  steve1963
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