What is it about?

In 1999 the Australian government dropped its objections to the Italian legislation that contemplated postal voting and parliamentary representation for its Italian citizens resident abroad. This was a significant turning point for the Australian government approach on the question of voting rights for expatriate communities in Australia voting in their homeland elections. Based on undisclosed government sources and interviews with former Australian diplomatic and government officials, this paper will recall and examine the Australian government's reaction to the Italian political debates leading up to, and eventual passage of, the Italian expatriate vote legislation.

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Why is it important?

• The Australian government's perspective on Diaspora Parliaments, and in particular to the Italian external voting model. • No Objection in Principle to Australians Standing in Overseas Parliaments. • Freedom of Information (FOI) declassified government sources and interviews with former Australian diplomatic and government officials.

Perspectives

It offers an unique perspective into Australia's reaction to the making and implementation of a foreign country's external voting model, and the ensuing tension between 'hard-liners' and 'pragmatists' among government officials and public servants.

Dr Simone Battiston
Swinburne University of Technology

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Challenging the Australian Government Approach Towards Expatriate Voting: The Case of Italy, Australian Journal of Political Science, September 2009, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/10361140903067276.
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