Votes and Proceedings 14/05/2004, p 819; 31/08/2004, pp 921 - 922; 01/09/2004, p 948.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are:

(1) That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquire into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 2003 NSW Election and related matters, including but not limited to:

(a) the role of the State Electoral Office;

(b) the consistency of procedures used, and rulings made, by District Returning Officers;

(c) postal voting, including an examination of inconsistencies between State and Federal postal voting legislation and procedures;

(d) the criteria used for the designation of pre-poll voting places; and

(e) procedures and provisions relating to the confirmation of enrolment.

(2) That in conducting its inquiry into the 2003 election the committee include for examination and report:

(a) the problems associated with the finalisation of the counting of votes in the Legislative Council periodic election, and in particular - the identification of the nature of the problems ascertaining why the problems occurred ascertaining why the problems were not identified earlier ascertaining what can be done to ensure that such problems do not occur again any other relevant matter in addressing these problems;

(b) the changes to the Legislative Council voting system that applied for the first time at the 2003 periodic election, such as, group voting squares; and

(c) the counting of preference votes, including random sampling. NB: The Committee is precluded from inquiring into Part 2 of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912 and sections 27, 28 and 28A of the Constitution Act 1902 which concerns the distribution of electorates.