Garth Hamilton calls for rethink of pre-poll voting after security concerns

Liberal-National MP Garth Hamilton has called for a rethink of pre-poll voting at federal elections, including the possibility of shortening the time booths are open. Hamilton, the member for the Queensland electorate of Groom, raised the issue as security concerns grew after the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines.

Pre-poll is in-person voting held before election day. Booths usually open one to two weeks before an election. In 2025, more than 9 million votes, or 56 per cent, were cast at early voting centres, according to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) report on that election.

Hamilton said the risk of members of the public and volunteers lining up at booths near car parks or roads needed to be assessed. He said he had witnessed three interactions between cars and people at pre-poll across three elections, two of them accidental and one not.

He said the length of the pre-poll period, the way resources were allocated at centres and the role of postal voting could all be considered to lower the risk to voters and staff.

Haines, who is 65, was injured in an alleged attack outside her electorate office. A driver accused of intentionally injuring her by hitting her with his car appeared in court on Wednesday. According to the Guardian, she is in a serious but stable condition after both her legs were amputated.

Labor MP Jerome Laxale, who has represented the New South Wales seat of Bennelong since 2022, chairs a parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 election. He raised safety and the committee's interim report on the issue at a Labor caucus meeting, the private gathering of Labor MPs, on Tuesday.

The interim report recommends that the AEC review the resourcing and duration of pre-poll voting to make sure adequate arrangements are in place. The AEC told the committee that shortening the pre-poll period would squeeze growing demand into a shorter window. It said this would also increase operational risks, including queues and shortages of suitable venues.

Submissions to the inquiry described neo-Nazis turning up to booths with speakers, volunteers being bullied and harassed, and voters leaving polling centres in tears.

Independent MP Monique Ryan said candidates, volunteers and campaign workers facing threats of violence should be given clear guidance on engaging with federal and state police.