Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Special Minister of State, Senator Birmingham. At Senate estimates in May, I asked the Electoral Commissioner, Mr Tom Rogers, a simple question: 'Who conducted the audit on the software used by the Australian Electoral Commission, how much did the audit cost and what was the result?' The answer was: 'If you are trying to suggest there is a problem, I don't understand why you would do that.' Let me ask again: who conducted the most recent audit of the AEC election software, how much did it cost and what was the result?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Roberts for the question. I can't quite recall whether those details were taken on notice during the estimates hearings. It would not be a surprise to the Senate that I don't have the precise contract details to hand in the chamber. I will take them on notice here, noting they may already have been taken on notice through the estimates process. But I would also state our complete confidence in the integrity and operation of the Australian Electoral Commission.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Roberts, a supplementary question?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian National Audit Office audited the results of the 2016 federal election and has not been asked back since. If the Australian National Audit Office has not been asked to look at the software in the last four years, who has?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We are talking about two entities that operate with independence from government—the Australian Electoral Commission and the Australian National Audit Office. In terms of the interaction between those entities, I can take it on notice to seek information from them, but I am not able to provide Senator Roberts with details of those interactions. They're certainly not interactions directed by the government.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Roberts, a final supplementary question?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In March and, again, in May this year, I asked the following question and on both occasions did not receive an answer, so I ask again. In 2019, how many physical paper ballots were compared back to the electronic data report after the initial data entry, which would be an essential part of the auditing we are assured is going on?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My recollection is that the Australian Electoral Commissioner did talk through some of those issues in the recent estimates hearings with you, Senator Roberts, and that it was addressed in those estimates hearings. I know you have been exploring those issues for a period of time and that some responses have been placed on notice. In relation to the comparison between the paper ballots and data processing, and the steps that the AEC undertake in that regard, I also recall that the commissioner took you through the explanations during the recent estimates hearings. I would refer you to the Hansard in that regard. If, following review of that Hansard, you have additional aspects that are unclear, then of course I'm always happy to work through them with you.