Western Australian Electoral Commission

2017 State General ElectionGuide for polling staff

and other casual workers

Level 2, 111 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000

GPO Box F316 Perth WA 6841

Phone (08) 9214 0400 or 13 63 06 Email hr@waec.wa.gov.au Website www.elections.wa.gov.au

National Relay Service (NRS) Call 133 677 then ask for (08) 9214 0400

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Foreword Welcome to the Western Australian Electoral Commission.

The Commission has a proud record of excellence and professionalism in electoral administration. To maintain this position it is essential that the Commission continues to provide a fair, responsive and quality service to electors at all times.

During periods of significant operational activity, such as a State election, it is my responsibility to appoint temporary election polling staff to ensure the Commission can deliver a well-run election. To ensure consistency and compliance with electoral laws, I cannot overstate how important it is for staff to follow the instructions provided to them by their supervisors and in their training materials.

Finally, I thank you for your contribution to this State election and I very much hope you enjoy the experience of working for the Commission.

Yours sincerely

David Kerslake Electoral Commissioner

Impartiality and confidentiality

9 All staff working at the Commission are expected to uphold the highest level of professional conduct. This includes the highest principles of personal integrity and impartiality.

A justified community perception of political neutrality is critical to ensuring a high level of public trust and confidence. You should therefore exercise extreme care in everything you do and avoid making comments which might be construed as political. This includes avoiding comments in social media about the election. Also in the course of your work you may have access to confidential and sensitive information. You must not disclose such information or use it in an improper manner. If you have any concerns you should consult your supervisor.

Commission expectations

9 As a representative of the Commission you are expected to be dressed in a manner that promotes a professional image. Denim jeans and sports shoes can be worn. However, clothing such as singlets, revealing shorts or skirts, and thongs are not acceptable.

Smoking is not permitted in the workplace or in Commission vehicles.

Training

9 For most positions a manual will be forwarded by the Returning Officer (RO). You must read this manual prior to election day. Online training has been developed to build or reinforce the skills required for some positions.

If you are required to attend a face to face training session you will be advised by the RO. Training hours are included as part of your payment package.

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Further, the use of a private motor vehicle requires the owner to accept costs incurred resulting from any accident or damage. It is therefore the vehicle owner’s responsibility to ensure adequate insurance coverage.

You may be able to claim mileage in excess of 30kms. If you are entitled to and wish to claim for travel costs you must indicate the kilometres and engine size of the car on the Polling Place Attendance Sheet at the conclusion of your working day. If you do not, the Commission will reimburse you at the default rate.

Taxation and superannuation

9 You need to complete the Tax File Number Declaration form in order to help us work out how much tax you need to pay.

There is no tax exemption option available working for the Commission. You have to refer to the ATO (1300 360 211) for assistance on this matter and the ATO will have to advise the Commission if you are eligible for tax exemption before payment is made to you.

If you do not provide a Tax File Number, tax will be deducted from your pay at the top marginal rate.

Superannuation contributions of 9.5% will be made to your nominated complying superannuation fund. The Commission complies with the Government’s choice of fund requirements. The Commission’s default fund is the Government Employees Superannuation Board (GESB). If you operate a self-managed fund, or you opt for choice of fund, then you need to provide all required information on the Choice in Super form. This form can be found on www.elections.wa.gov.au. Importantly, if you do not provide the correct and full information regarding your choice in superannuation, then your superannuation contributions will default to GESB.

General employment conditions

9 Polling staff are employed on a casual, as needed, basis and employment does not continue from one event to another.

Working at a polling place can be a long, busy day. Apart from exceptional circumstances you will not be able to leave the polling place during the hours of duty. This means you should make arrangements for all meals (lunch and dinner) and transport.

Your supervisor will be responsible for your activity. Please refer to them if you have any questions or issues on the day.

As part of the Commission’s continuous improvement culture your performance will be rated.

Payment of wages

9 Remember to read, complete and return your employment pack. Please ensure your personal, bank, superannuation and tax details are correct. Incorrectly completed documentation may delay your payments.

An allowance is not payable to polling place staff for travel to and from the polling place on polling day as this is incorporated in the pay rate. Expenses for the use of a private motor vehicle will not be reimbursed unless authorised in advance by the Commission.

Within four weeks after polling day, payment will be made by direct deposit to the bank account nominated by you.

A pay slip will be forwarded to you following your payment. Also, a payment summary (group certificate) will be sent to you after 30 June 2017.

Other employment conditions

9 Polling place managers who use their own laptop (a non-Apple product) to complete required returns can claim an allowance of $40. The Commission cannot take responsibility for loss or damage of private laptops. The payment to PPMs is inclusive of any election related mobile phone calls.

Mobile polling place managers and mobile polling officers as well as polling place managers and officers undertaking multiple or additional travel may be reimbursed for private motor vehicle use at the standard public service rates on a per claim basis, requiring prior approval.

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Employment conditions and wages

Position (and rates of pay)

Polling Place Manager (PPM)1–3 issuing points $1,0574–7 issuing points $1,1308 or more $1,206

Assistant Polling Place Manager $863 per day

Declaration Issuing Officer $605 per day

Ordinary Issuing Officer $476 per day

Mobile Polling Place Manager $37.56 p/hr

Mobile Staff $33.63 p/hr

Returning Officer’s Assistant $37.56 p/hr

General Assistant $25.64 p/hr

Responsibilities 9 Complete training online and face to face in advance of polling day. 9 Set up polling place and supervise the conduct of polling. 9 Instruct, train and supervise staff. 9 Collect polling materials from the returning officer. 9 Provide advice and assistance to electors. 9 Conduct the count of ordinary votes and transmit results to the returning officer 9 Package all election material and return to the returning officer.

Start time

9 Attend training session in advance of polling day. 9 Assist PPM in management of polling and staff. 9 Help supervise declaration voting. 9 Have full knowledge of PPM duties, and relieve PPM as required. 9 Help supervise scrutiny, count of ballot papers, parcelling and clean-up of premises.

9 Attend training session in advance of polling day. 9 Responsible for declaration (absent & provisional) voting on polling day. 9 Prepare declaration forms. 9 Mark electors’ names off electronic electoral rolls if applicable. 9 Issue ballot papers to electors. 9 Assist in scrutiny, count of ballot papers, parcelling and clean-up of premises.

9 Responsible for the conduct of ordinary voting at the polling place. 9 Mark electors’ names off rolls and issue ballot papers. 9 Perform queue controller or ballot box guard duties. 9 Assist in scrutiny, count of ballot papers, parcelling and clean-up of premises. 9 Participate in training on polling day.

9 Attend training session in advance of polling day. 9 Collect polling materials from returning officer. 9 Conduct mobile polling at special institutions and/or hospitals. 9 Issue declaration and ordinary votes at required institutions. 9 Reconcile ballot papers and complete associated returns.

9 Duties and hours as assigned by the returning officer in accordance with guidelines and Commission approvals.

9 Duties and hours as assigned by PPM or RO in accordance with the guidelines.

Forms you need to completeEveryone MUST complete the following forms:

All Employment Pack Forms

Polling Place Attendance Sheet

Choice in Super fund letter (if applicable).

SuperannuationIf you have opted for Choice in Super, you need to attach a letter from your fund stating that they are a complying fund and that they will accept contributions from your employer. The letter MUST include your unique superannuation identifier (USI) and your member number.

If you have a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) you need to attach a document confirming the SMSF is an ATO regulated super fund. Further, you need to provide your Super Fund’s electronic address, BSB Code and account number. If you do not provide the full information regarding your superannuation, then your contributions will default to GESB, the Commission’s default fund.

6:45 am

6:45 am

7:00 am

7:00 am

as advised

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