NOTICE OF MUA DIVISION QUADRENNIAL ELECTION 2023 – 2027
*** queries about the below information to be sent via email to returningofficer@mua.org.au ***
Nominations for the 2023 MUA Divisional Election open on 27 February 2023 (27/2/23) and close at 5pm on 27 March 2023 (27/3/23).
The election will be conducted by postal ballot of all financial members commencing on 28 April 2023 (28/4/23) and closing 14 June 2023 (14/6/23) in those positions where more than one candidate has validly nominated.
Existing Officers must notify the Divisional National Secretary if they are not standing or are standing for another position by 30 January 2023 (30/1/2023) as per Sub-Rule 45(l), which prohibits an officer of the Division from nominating for a different office in the Division unless he/she has given at least 28 days written notice to the Divisional National Secretary before the opening of nominations (see relevant Notice, published 9 February 2023).
Members will then be notified of this information by the Branch newsletters and the Divisional MUA National Office Website.
Voting Arrangements
The MUA's Quadrennial Elections are conducted by way of a postal ballot. Ballot papers will be posted to the address on file associated with your membership.
Absentee Voting
Absentee voting is available for members who will not be at home to collect postal ballot papers by completing the form here.
These ballot papers may either be given to the member personally or delivered to an alternate address nominated by the member.
All such applications must be made by 5pm on June 7 2023.
Nominations
Nomination forms are available below or for collection from the Divisional National Office and Branch Offices.
MUA Quadrennial Election 2023 - 2027 Nomination Form
Nominations are to be in writing, signed by the nominee and two financial members, and forwarded by registered mail or Express Post to the Divisional National Returning Officer at the address listed on the Nomination Form.
A candidate may enclose a 200-word statement and photo with their nomination. The Division will publish candidates’ statements and photos on the MUA Website and will be distributed to Branches during the middle of April 2023. Candidates who fail to provide their statement and photo by close of nominations will miss out on publication on the MUA Website and inclusion in the Election Booklet that accompanies the Ballot Materials sent to Members.
Candidates may supply their photograph and 200 word statement electronically via returningofficer@mua.org.au prior to the close of nominations, 5pm on 27 March 2023.
Statements shall require the approval of the Divisional National Returning Officer and shall meet requirements of the law. Scandalous or defamatory matter will not be published. Words in excess of the 200-word limit will be deleted from the end of the statement.
Opt Out of Candidate Communications
Requests to opt-out must be received before Friday 31 March 2023.
Only financial members who have been financial for at least one year immediately prior to the close of nominations and have been engaged or reasonably seeking to be engaged in an occupation covered by the Eligibility Rule are eligible to nominate as required by Sub-Rule 45(h).
No member shall be eligible to nominate for more than one office as prescribed in Sub-Rule 45(i). If a member nominates for more than one such office, both nominations shall be void.
The Divisional National Returning Officer, shall — in the event of two or more candidates being nominated for any office — seven days following the closure of nominations, arrange for the printing of ballot papers [as prescribed Sub-Rule 47(b) (i)]. These shall contain the names of the candidates with their surname in alphabetical order.
The Divisional National Returning Officer will then initial each ballot paper before despatching papers to voters from 28 April 2023 (28/4/2023), which is the day the ballot opens.
Once again, members must check with their Branch to ensure their current mailing address is correct on the Union’s records.
MUA QUADRENNIAL ELECTION 2023 - 2027 KEY DATES
|
EVENT |
DATE |
WHO |
|
The number of Divisional National Assistant Secretary/s to be determined |
October 2022 National Council or no later than 30 January 2023 |
By National Council The Divisional National Secretary shall as soon as practicable advise the members of the Division and the Divisional National Returning Officer accordingly
|
|
The number of Divisional Branch Officers (other than Divisional Branch Secretary) to be determined |
October 2022 National Council or no later than 30 January 2023 |
By National Council The Divisional National Secretary shall as soon as practicable advise the members of the Divisional Branch and the Divisional National Returning Officer accordingly.
|
|
Preliminary Roll of Voters to be prepared |
By 30 January 2023 |
To be prepared by Divisional National Secretary |
|
Officer nominating for a different office |
By 30 January 2023 |
Officer to notify Divisional National Secretary who must then inform the membership as soon as possible |
|
Officer who does not intend to nominate for any office |
By 30 January 2023 |
Officer to notify Divisional National Secretary who must then inform the membership as soon as possible |
|
Preliminary Roll of Voters |
By 6 February 2023 |
To be provided to the National Returning Officer |
|
Final paper and electronic copy of Roll of Voters to be prepared |
By 17 February 2023 |
To be prepared by Divisional National Secretary |
|
Nominations for Offices open |
27 February 2023 |
|
|
Nominations for Offices close |
27 March 2023 |
|
|
Ballot opens |
28 April 2023 |
|
|
Notification to candidates of the place and date of the count |
By 7 June 2023 |
By Divisional National and Deputy Returning Officers |
|
Ballot closes |
14 June 2023 |
|
|
Counting of the ballot |
15 June 2022 |
Divisional National and Deputy Returning Officers |
|
Persons elected take office |
1 July 2023 |
|
|
Divisional National Presiding Officer and Divisional Deputy National Presiding Officer elections |
First National Council held after the Quadrennial Elections |
Secret ballot at National Council |
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION:
NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION
- Nominations open on 27 February 2023 and close at 5pm on 27 March 2023;
- All nominations papers containing the nominees name as contained on the Roll to be signed by the nominee and two members of the Division who are financial as at the close of nominations;
- All nomination papers shall be forwarded by mail or delivered addressed to the Divisional National Returning Officer at a post office box under the control of the Returning Officer. Where the nomination papers are forwarded by mail the nominee shall retain verification of the date and means of postage.
ELIGIBILITY TO NOMINATE
- The Offices of Divisional National Assistant Secretary – Woman and Divisional National Assistant Secretary – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander shall only be eligible for nomination by a woman and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person (as defined) respectively;
- Notwithstanding the above bullet point and, subject to the Rules, nominations for all Offices shall be open to all members of the Division who are financial as at the close of nominations, and has remained a member for at least one year immediately prior to the close of nominations, and has been engaged or reasonably seeking to be engaged in an occupation covered by the Eligibility Rule for that year.
- No member shall be eligible to nominate for more than one Office of Officer of the Division. If a member nominates for more than one such Office, each such nomination shall be void;
- No member shall be eligible to nominate for more than one of the two Offices of Divisional National Assistant Secretary – Woman and Divisional National Assistant Secretary – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in accordance with Rule 45(g). If a member nominates for more than one such Office, each such nomination shall be void;
- No member shall be eligible to nominate for one of the two Offices of Divisional National Assistant Secretary – Woman and Divisional National Assistant Secretary – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in accordance with Rule 45(g) and the Office of Divisional National Assistant Secretary in accordance with Rule 45(f). If a member nominates for more than one such Office, each such nomination shall be void;
- No Officer of the Division shall be eligible to nominate for a different Office of Officer of the Division at an election unless such Officer has given written notice to the Divisional National Secretary of intention to do so (see relevant Notice, published 9 February 2023);
- An Officer of the Division who does not intend to nominate for election to any Office of Officer of the Division at an election shall give written notice to the Divisional National Secretary accordingly (see relevant Notice, published 9 February 2023);
- Notices above shall be irrevocable and shall be given at least 28 days before the opening of nominations. The Divisional National Secretary shall inform the membership of a notice as soon as possible.
ELECTION STATEMENT
- A candidate in an election may forward with the candidate's nomination form a head and shoulder photograph and a 200-word statement for forwarding with ballot papers in accordance with Rule 47(c). The statement shall require the approval of the Divisional National Returning Officer and shall meet all requirements of the law. Scandalous or defamatory matter will not be forwarded. Words in excess of the 200-word limit will be deleted from the end of the statement.
- Candidates may supply their photograph and 200 word statement electronically via returningofficer@mua.org.au prior to the close of nominations, 5pm on 27 March 2023.
ROLL OF VOTERS
- The roll of voters shall be prepared by the Divisional National Secretary at least 28 days before the date of the opening of nominations and a paper copy and electronic copy of the Roll shall be provided to the Divisional National Returning Officer at least 21 days before the date of the opening of nominations;
- A final paper copy and electronic copy of the Roll of Voters shall be prepared by the Divisional National Secretary as at 10 days before the opening date of nominations comprising those persons whose names appeared on the preliminary Roll together with new members and members who became financial members of the Division since the compilation of the preliminary roll, but not including those persons who have ceased to be financial members of the Division since the compilation of the preliminary roll;
- Any member listed on the final Roll of Voters whose resignation takes effect in accordance with Rule 11 of these Rules, prior to the ballot being closed, or whose membership is cancelled in accordance with Sub Rule 12(d) by reason of ceasing to be a financial member of the Division as a consequence of Sub Rule 10(k) of these Rules, prior to the ballot being closed, shall not be eligible to vote.
Requesting a copy of the Roll of Voters
Candidates may request a roll of voters using this form here and with the payment of the applicable fee (see form). Per Rule 46(d), candidates for all offices are entitled to receive a final Roll of Voters in paper and/or electronic form, provided they have signed an undertaking regarding the use of the Roll, including appliable privacy requirements and the right of Members to opt out of communications from candidates. The Roll will be made available after Wednesday 5 April 2023 to Candidates who have duly submitted an application form.
