Mary Henry (Independent)

I thank Senator Bannon for summoning a crowd for my words of wisdom. I was talking about electronic voting. Events in Florida remind us that such systems are not infallible. We all remember the dreadful spectacle in Florida in 2000, when George W. Bush was first elected President of the United States, of a vote which lasted for six weeks, while there were discussions on hanging chads and pregnant chads. Just because something is technologically advanced does not mean it will be more reliable than pencil and paper. We should be very careful before we discard the present system. A Florida seat in Congress has yet to be filled because of concerns that the software was interfered with and a considerable number of votes cast did not register. I suggest the electronic voting machines should be retired, as suggested by Senator Bannon.

As for how we should compile the electoral register, I do not think anybody in this House suggested census forms be used, nor do I believe it was suggested in the other House. I am concerned about the proposed use of PPS numbers, in view of the dreadful debacle in the Department of Health and Children concerning PPS numbers. The present system probably represents the best means of compiling the register and I congratulate the Minister on retaining it.

As the Minister said, there is no legal prohibition on voting by prisoners in this country, nor is there in many countries. I have always felt it odd that my constituents or those of Senator Quinn could vote for us by post if they were in prison. The forms are sent to home addresses but I have never heard of electoral registrars having to check whether a person was in prison.