BY GRAHAM MATTHEWS

MELBOURNE — The Socialist Alliance lodged its application for registration as a political party with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on August 29, submitting the details of its 763 Victorian members.

Success in the application will enable the alliance to have its name printed on ballot papers alongside its candidates in the next state election, as well as being eligible for electoral funding. A state election in Victoria can be called on any date from November 4.

In order to determine the legitimacy of the alliance's application for registration, the VEC will send a letter to all alliance members in Victoria over the next week. The letter will ask members to confirm that they are eligible to be on the electoral role in Victoria (i.e., that they do not have to be on the electoral role, only eligible), and that they are members of the Socialist Alliance. Alliance members must return the letters within two weeks.

The VEC requires at least 500 members to return their letters in order to consider the alliance for registration. The alliance is counting on every one who receives such a letter to return it to the VEC as soon as they receive it.

The final hurdle in the registration process is to satisfy any objections. Once this four-week process is completed the alliance will receive state registration.

[Graham Matthews is joint state convenor of the Socialist Alliance in Victoria.]

From Green Left Weekly, September 4, 2002.
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