Claims of stolen same-sex marriage ballots, weather-damaged postal survey envelopes and other anomalies have prompted a stern warning from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and calls for the entire process to be scrapped. The survey has been marred by anecdotal complaints since the ABS began mailing out ballot papers, including that some had been sent to residents’ former addresses, sparking concerns that they could be filled out illegally. At the weekend, survey envelopes at seven Canberra apartment blocks were reportedly found left out in the rain rather than delivered to individual letter boxes, while a Senate committee on Friday heard claims that some people had received postal packs without reply paid envelopes.
The committee also heard complaints from a person who reported “what might have been stolen envelopes ripped open and left on the ground” in Melbourne.
Growing concern over the survey prompted a response on Monday from the ABS, which said the process was on track and proceeding to schedule.
Full Article: Postal survey panned as ‘insecure’ as complaints pile up.