Australian Embassy and Mission to the EU

Belgium-Luxembourg

Embassy address: Rue Guimardstraat 6-8, 1040 Brussels - Telephone: +32 (0) 2 286 0500 - Fax: +32 (0) 2 231 07 88

Australian Federal Election 2010 - Voting in Brussels, Belgium

The Australian federal election will be held on Saturday 21 August 2010. Australian citizens eligible to vote can vote either in person at the Embassy, at 6-8 Rue Guimard, 1040, Brussels, or by applying for a postal vote.

Voters will need to know the Australian address at which they are currently enrolled in order to be issued with the correct ballot papers for their electorate. Voters can check their address at www.aec.gov.au/check or by calling +61 2 6271 4411. Identification will be required when voting in Brussels.

The Australian Embassy in Brussels will be conducting early voting from Monday 9 August until midday on Saturday, 21 August 2010 (except on weekends and the public holiday on Monday, 16 August) between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm. By voting early queues and delays may be avoided.

Alternatively, voters can apply for a postal vote by going to www.aec.gov.au and printing off and completing an “Application for a postal vote” form. Postal vote applications are also available from the Embassy. Ballot papers will then be sent to voters to complete and post back. The Embassy will accept postal vote applications until midday, Thursday, 19 August 2010. Postal Votes to be considered in the vote count must arrive at the Embassy by midday, Saturday, 21 August or be postmarked before polling day. If a voter opts for a postal vote, applications should be made as soon as possible to give the Embassy sufficient time to get ballot papers to the voter.

If a voter is unable to attend an overseas voting centre or complete a postal vote, the voter should notify the AEC by emailing info@aec.gov.au

For more information on voting in Brussels, contact the Embassy by telephone on 02 286 05 00 or fax 02 231 0788, or email consular.brussels@dfat.gov.au

More information on the Australian federal election is available from www.aec.gov.au, by calling +61 2 6271 4411 or by emailing info@aec.gov.au

Enrolment and voting by Australians who are overseas at the time of the election is not compulsory. Australians who are not in Australia on Election Day will not be fined if they do not vote. However Australian citizens should complete the overseas identification form available on the Australian Electoral Commission website.

Key dates and times:
Postal vote applications: Available now until midday, 19 August 2010.
Postal votes must arrive at the Embassy by midday, 21 August or be postmarked the day before polling day (i.e. 20 August).
Early voting will occur at the Embassy from 9 August until midday, 21 August 2010 (except weekends & the 16 August public holiday) between 9 am and 4 pm.