Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

We have an organisation called the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce, comprised of the relevant agencies across federal government. They work together to provide information and advice to the Australian Electoral Commissioner on matters relating to the integrity of the processes of federal elections and referendums. The following portfolios and agencies are EIAT members: the Australian Electoral Commission; the Department of Finance; the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; the Department of Infrastructure, Transport Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; the Department of Home Affairs; the Attorney-General's Department; the Australian Federal Police; the Australian Signals Directorate; and the Office of National Intelligence. The task force is also supported by members of the National Intelligence Community, as required.

On 26 July 2022, the Australian Electoral Commissioner released a public media statement confirming that the EIAT agencies did not identify any foreign interference or any other interference that compromised the delivery of the 2022 federal election or that would undermine the confidence of the Australian people in the results of that election. Members of the EIAT consult with online media platforms, including for major electoral events such as referenda, and have also established escalation processes for the referral of content in breach of the Commonwealth legislation or in social media platform terms of service. Agencies that participate in the EIAT are already working to provide appropriate support to protect the integrity of the proposed referendum, including from foreign actors. The government will continue to work through the members of the EIAT on risks to integrity of the referendum, including the threat of foreign interference, to ensure the public can have continued confidence in the conduct and the outcome of this and other electoral events.