Federal election: ‘Dangerous’ parking at Warrnambool pre-polling booth

A young boy had to be ushered out of the way of a reversing car at a “dangerous” pre-polling booth at Warrnambool.

Volunteers have called on the Australian Electoral Commission to address a “dangerous” pre-polling booth at Warrnambool.

The Raglan Parade booth has a car park directly in front of the entry.

Party campaigners are not able to go within 6m of the entry so are waiting in the car park.

The Australian Electoral Commission said campaigners were putting themselves at risk and should move to the grass area.

But party volunteer Jan said the booth’s location was poorly designed. She said she saw a young boy ushered out of the way of a reversing car and people were being forced to dodge vehicles.

“It’s terrible. It’s really dangerous and there was a child here before and people were backing out among the volunteers,” Jan, who did not give her last name, said.

“We have to keep moving and dodging people backing out, it is really dangerous, and then it makes us being outside the rules, because here we are.

“People congregate and talk, that’s what you do. It is very poorly designed, especially when there are things in town that are empty.

“It’s not like we haven’t got any empty shops.”

A Warrnambool pre-polling booth has become a parking hazard for voters and campaigners.

A party volunteer waits near the road.

The AEC said it was aware of the situation.

“We are aware of the situation at this particular pre-poll location and the safety of Australian voters is paramount at all times,” the AEC said.

“Where we can accommodate campaign staff just outside the 6m rule from the polling place entrance we do.

“However, if there is a safety issue in that location then we recommend party workers stand in an appropriate location for the welfare of them and voters.

“We’re aware that party workers are putting themselves at risk by standing in the service lane when there is a grass area nearby that can be used.”

The AEC said the Raglan Parade unit was made available and secured for lease on short notice.

“This centre was the venue available to us to lease in the local area and we must manage competing priorities,” the spokesperson said.

“All venues are secured on short notice as we have to be ready to run a federal election on an unknown date and secure over 8000 voting venues.”