Why can't public servants run in elections?
Thanks for your question. At the federal level, section 44(iv) of the Australian Constitution prevents anyone who ‘holds any office of profit under the Crown’ from being chosen as a member of parliament. This means public servants who are employed by the Australian Government cannot run in elections. They would need to resign in order to run in a federal election, but if they are not elected, they have a right to return to their position.
The rules about who is eligible to run in state, territory, and local elections are decided by state and territory parliaments. You can find these rules on your state electoral commission website.
People voting in a federal election
Australian Electoral Commission
People voting in a federal election
Australian Electoral Commission
Description
A row of large cardboard voting booths. There are 3 people standing facing into the booths, looking down and filling in their ballot papers. Each booth is screened off from the neighbouring booths so that people cannot see each others ballot paper.
Permission should be sought from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact the AEC email: media@aec.gov.au or phone: 13 23 26.