Gulf residents in the electorate of Kennedy are among the first of many remote communities to be visited by an AEC remote polling team.

Manager of the Queensland Indigenous Electoral Participation Program Simone Jordan said remote polling teams would be travelling to isolated regions to ensure voters living in remote communities could vote.

“From 20 June to election day, our teams will visit over 70 locations across northern Queensland, including the Torres Strait Islands, covering thousands of kilometres by road, air and sea to reach voters in remote communities, outstations, pastoral properties, small towns, tourist resorts and mine sites.” Ms Jordan said.

“A large proportion of people who vote via the AEC’s remote mobile polling service live in Indigenous communities, including in Queensland.”

Ms Jordan said remote polling teams typically consisted of three members, which are often assisted by an  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based voter information officer.

“The voter information officer role is especially important with the changed Senate voting arrangements at this election,” she said.

The AEC has reviewed remote mobile polling arrangements since the 2013 federal election to identify better ways to deliver polling services, including more flexible and extended opportunities to vote, such as coinciding visits with cultural business or other community events. The AEC is also working with other government agencies to extend the reach of remote voter services.

Remote polling arrangements are also providing employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians to work as AEC polling officers in their communities.

Remote mobile polling visits are being promoted by advertising, as well as by AEC indigenous community contact officers and posters in shire councils and government offices.

Voters can find out when a mobile polling team will be visiting by calling 13 23 26 or visiting the AEC website.