After an open merit-based recruitment process the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Damian Cantwell AM CSC has been re-appointed for a further term of five years.

Ms Joy Burch MLA, Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly, after the due parliamentary and committee consultation process as required under the Electoral Act 1992, formally re-appointed Mr Cantwell on Monday 24 October 2022. Mr Cantwell’s term of appointment runs from 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2027.

Mr Cantwell brings his extensive experience as a senior officer in the ADF and his past five years’ experience as the ACT Electoral Commissioner to the role, including successful delivery of the 2020 ACT Legislative Assembly election under the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘I look forward to working with the Electoral Commission and leading the dedicated Elections ACT in delivering the highest possible standard of trusted, transparent, secure and accessible electoral services for the ACT, notably the Legislative Assembly election in October 2024 and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body election in July 2024,’ Mr Cantwell said.

The ACT Electoral Commission is an independent statutory authority comprising a part time Chairperson, a full time Electoral Commissioner and a part-time Member with responsibility for the conduct of elections and referendums for the ACT Legislative Assembly, the provision of electoral advice and services, determination of ACT electoral boundaries and names, and administration of the election funding, expenditure and disclosure scheme by the Commissioner. Members of the Commission are independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly. The Commissioner is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.