Voting in federal Parliament: Kevin Andrews MP to push for new electronic voting

FEDERAL MPs could soon cast their votes on contentious laws electronically, in a push to save valuable time on the floor of Parliament.

Coalition MP Kevin Andrews believes it is time to speed up voting in Parliament. Picture: AAP

FEDERAL MPs could soon cast their votes on contentious laws electronically, in a push to save valuable time on the floor of Parliament.

The Turnbull Government is considering new system where politicians would vote using swipe cards or electronic tokens which would allow results to be published immediately.

Father of the House, Kevin Andrews, has pushed the change — arguing it would make the political system more efficient and allow more time for other business.

“It has worked in parliaments around the world and it’s something I’ve personally pushed for since 2008,” Mr Andrews told the Herald Sun.

“Colleagues have warmed to it but it’s now up to the Government to consider the technology and system.

An inquiry into the proposal by the House of Representatives standing committee on procedures endorsed the idea in May.

It found that electronic voting had the potential to enhance the transparency of divisions, particularly if it is implemented with electronic signs within the Chamber that instantly displayed how members voted.

The report found an average of six-and-a-half minutes is spent counting every division in Parliament.

Mr Andrews said his colleagues — from the Prime Minister down — had responded “enthusiastically” to the proposal in this morning’s Coalition party room, which is to now go before federal Cabinet.

The Victorian MP said parliamentarians would still be required in the Chamber, as it was an “important part of the parliamentary process” but he said it would increase transparency, help parliamentary watchers and save crucial time.

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