“Mr Jacob Keed 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, Ms Margaret Blackman,” the Electoral Commissioner, Damian Cantwell AM CSC, said today.

Ms Blackman resigned as a member of the Elected Body on 15 January 2023.

“All candidates who stood unsuccessfully at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body 2021 election were invited to contest the vacancy. 9 applications were received prior to the close of applications at 12 noon, Monday 6 February 2023,” 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 Ms Blackman determined her replacement,” Mr Cantwell said.

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

“Following the distribution of preferences Mr Jacob Keed 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 Tuesday 7 February 2023.