Why Voice to Parliament early voting centre has closed at Raintrees

People have been left frustrated after they were turned away from a Voice to Parliament voting centre at Raintrees Shopping Centre.

People needing to place an early vote in Saturday’s Voice referendum have been left frustrated as they were turned away from the early voting location at Raintrees Shopping Centre in Manunda after it was closed due to a mould infestation — but a replacement is in the offing.

The Australian Electoral Commission advised on Sunday that the early voting centre 6-26 Koch Street in Manunda was closed and would not be reopening and voters were advised they would need to use other locations in Cairns City, Mt Sheridan or Smithfield.

But on Tuesday the AEC released another notification advising that a new voting centre would be set up in the Raintrees centre to help cater to residents in the area.

The new voting centre has been set up next to library and will be opened from Wednesday to Friday.

Before the new location was announced many voters were left inconvenienced as they turned up to place their vote only to be turned away by staff who were unaware of the reason for the closure.

One voter in her 60s from Edge Hill said most of the people who were being turned away were from an older demographic.

“Raintrees was the only convenient location for myself as it’s harder for me to get to the other locations,” she said.

Early voters wanting to cast their referendum votes at the Raintrees Shopping Centre were turned around at the door after the centre was closed do to health concerns.

“It was mainly people who might have trouble getting around, so, to make the effort to come here then be told you would have to go elsewhere was a big issue.

“All they told us was there was something wrong with the building.”

She said that voters were already disenfranchised and this was just another barrier to the process.

“I saw probably 15 to 20 people there who wanted to vote.

“Voters rely on this location. Why haven't they set up in more locations like the Showground like they usually do?”

The AEC confirmed it was a health and safety matter.

“A health and safety matter has been identified with the Koch Street premises which

is the discovery of some mould in parts of the building,” an AEC media alert said.

“We apologise for any inconvenience.

“We are of course updating the listing of early voting locations on the AEC’s website, erecting signage and will have a staff member on site to redirect voters who may have already planned to attend this venue in the next couple of days.”

Originally published as Why Voice to Parliament early voting centre has closed at Raintrees