(1)
This section applies when the Governor-General makes an Order in Council in accordance with section 22(2)(b) specifying that the indicative referendum be conducted by postal voting.
(2)
The Friday appointed by the Governor-General under section 30(2) of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000 must be within 12 months after the date on which the indicative referendum petition is presented to the House of Representatives.
(3)
However, subsection (2) does not apply in the circumstances described in subsection (4) or subsection (6).
(4)
The circumstances are that—
the House of Representatives passes a resolution deferring the holding of the indicative referendum; and
the resolution is passed within 3 months after the date on which the petition is presented to the House of Representatives; and
the resolution is passed by a majority of 75% of all the members; and
the House of Representatives fixes a date for the closing of the voting period, and the date is not earlier than 12 months, and not later than 24 months, after the date on which the indicative referendum petition is presented to the House of Representatives.
(5)
In the circumstances described in subsection (4),—
the Governor-General does not appoint a Friday under section 30(2) of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000; and
the date on which the voting period closes is the date fixed by the House of Representatives.
(6)
The circumstances referred to in subsection (3) are that—
a general election must be held on a date that is within 12 months after the date on which the indicative referendum petition is presented to the House of Representatives (because of section 17 of the Constitution Act 1986); and
the House of Representatives passes a resolution requiring the voting period to close on the polling day for the general election.
(7)
In the circumstances described in subsection (6), the date on which the voting period closes is polling day.
(8)
If a writ for a general election is issued under section 125 of the Electoral Act 1993 after an Order in Council has been made in accordance with section 22(2)(b), the Governor-General may, by Order in Council, revoke the former Order in Council and appoint the polling day for the general election as the day on which the voting period closes.
Section 22AB: inserted, on 15 November 2000, by section 86 of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000 (2000 No 48).
Section 22AB(8): amended, on 28 February 2002, by section 101(2) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 1).