The name of the candidate elected to replace Mr Johnathan Davis, member for Brindabella, in the ACT Legislative Assembly should be known on Monday 27 November 2023, the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Mr Damian Cantwell AM CSC, announced today.

The Electoral Commissioner has received official notification of the casual vacancy from the Speaker of the Assembly, Ms Joy Burch MLA. Mr Johnathan Davis formally resigned from the Assembly on Sunday 12 November 2023.

“I am now able to outline the official timetable to fill the Legislative Assembly vacancy”, Mr Cantwell said.

Legislative Assembly vacancies are filled by conducting a ‘countback’ of those ballots that elected the vacating member.  In effect, those electors who voted for Mr Davis determine his replacement.

“To begin the countback process, a public notice will appear on Friday 17 November 2023, in The Canberra Times, inviting candidates who unsuccessfully stood in the Brindabella electorate at the 2020 election to contest the vacancy.  Where practicable the Commission will also notify all those unsuccessful candidates directly,” Mr Cantwell said.

Those candidates have ten days from the date of the public notice to indicate if they wish to contest the vacancy. Applications from candidates must be received by 12:00 noon on Monday 27 November 2023.

“At 12:30 pm on 27 November 2023, the names of the candidates contesting the vacancy will be officially declared.  A computer counting program will then be used to determine which candidate will be elected to the Assembly to replace Mr Davis,” Mr Cantwell said.

It is expected that the official declaration of the result will take place on Tuesday 28 November 2023, at 3:30 pm.

Media and the public are invited to attend these two events however attendance is subject to any relevant Covid Safe provisions. These events will take place at the ACT Legislative Assembly, 196 London Circuit, Civic Square, Canberra City.