Context
The question arises from concerns about the integrity of recent elections, with specific issues related to postal voting delays.
Question
What steps her Department is taking to prevent foreign interference in elections. During the recent general election, some constituents were frustrated by delays in the postal voting system. The Electoral Commission is looking into this and lessons must be learned. Our democratic system must protect from domestic and foreign malign interference, including misinformation. Will the Minister update on work of the defending democracy taskforce to review measures for protecting the general election? What efforts are being made to protect our wider democratic system?
Answer from Dan Jarvis
The Government prioritises protecting elections against foreign interference. Established processes like the National Security Act 2023 are in place. The defending democracy taskforce met on 25 July, bringing together Ministers and representatives from law enforcement and intelligence community to discuss political intimidation and harassment. Last week's meeting focused on a whole-of-Government response to democratic threats.
Not addressed: Details of specific measures reviewed by the taskforce or concrete actions taken to protect postal voting system were not provided.
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