Paul Saley elected to fill the casual vacancy in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body

MEDIA RELEASE
20 June 2025

‘Mr Paul Saley has been elected to fill the casual vacancy on the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, resulting from the resignation of one of its members, Mr Billy T Tompkins,’ the Electoral Commissioner, Damian Cantwell AM CSC, said today.

Mr Tompkins resigned as a member of the Elected Body on 28 May 2025.

‘All candidates who stood unsuccessfully at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body 2024 election were invited to contest the vacancy. Three applications were received prior to the close of applications at 12 noon, Friday 20 June 2025,’ Mr Cantwell said.

Vacancies on the Elected Body are filled by distributing the votes of the former member. ‘In effect, those voters who voted for Mr Tompkins determined his replacement,’ Mr Cantwell said.

After the formal declaration of candidates, a distribution of the votes received by Mr Tompkins took place today, conducted by Elections ACT.

‘Following the distribution of preferences Mr Paul Saley was declared elected to fill the casual vacancy on the Elected Body,’ Mr Cantwell said.

The official declaration of the poll is scheduled to take place at 10:30 am on Monday 23 June 2025.

Damian Cantwell AM CSC

Electoral Commissioner

Further information:

ACT Electoral Commission

Nara Centre, 3 Constitution Ave

Canberra City ACT 2601

Phone (02) 6205 0033

Email: elections@act.gov.au

Homepage: www.elections.act.gov.au

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Media contact:
Viviana.torres@act.gov.au
(02) 620 73358