The name of the candidate elected to replace Kate Carnell in the ACT Legislative Assembly will be known in January, the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Phil Green announced today.

The Electoral Commissioner has received official notification of the casual vacancy from the Speaker of the Assembly, Greg Cornwell, MLA. Kate Carnell formally resigned from the Assembly yesterday.

"I am now able to outline the official timetable for filling the vacancy," Mr Green said

Assembly vacancies are filled by conducting a 'count back' of those ballot papers that elected the vacating member. In effect, those electors who voted for Mrs Carnell determine her replacement.

"To begin the count-back process, I will be placing an advertisement on 2 January 2001 in the Canberra Times inviting candidates who unsuccessfully stood in the Molonglo electorate to contest the vacancy. Where practicable I will also notify all those unsuccessful candidates directly," Mr Green said.

Those candidates then have ten days to indicate if they wish to contest the vacancy.

"At 12.30 pm on Friday 12 January 2001 I will declare the names of the candidates contesting the vacancy. The Commission will begin the count back as soon as practicable after that time. I expect the counting will be finished in time to enable the new member to take up his or her seat when the Assembly resumes on 13 February 2001," Mr Green said.

The declaration of the candidates contesting the recount will take place at the office of the ACT Electoral Commission on the Plaza level of Allara House, 48-56 Allara Street, Civic from 12.30 pm on Friday 12 January 2001.