The Australian Institute of Professional Investigators is lobbying MPs involved in a review of last year’s election to push for restrictions on accessing the roll to be overturned. Other groups keen to see access to the roll restored include those separated by forced adoption or child removal or similar practices who are trying to track down their relatives. They have won the backing of Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews, who is calling for change. Security personnel are also lobbying to have access to the roll restored. Investigators institute president Jim Corbett said private investigators had freely used the roll in their work until the most recent changes, but now were not.
“An investigator’s normal activity includes conducting inquiries in relation to claims for motor vehicle theft or accident, burglary, arson, fraud, public liability, WorkCover matters and the service of court documents,’’ he said. “In effect investigators are being hamstrung in their attempts to assist the insurance industry and government in relation to investigative matters.”
The investigators want the AEC to use its discretion to grant licence to members of their profession to be able to perform searches using the roll, which shows the last enrolled address of anyone in Australia who is enrolled to vote.
Full Article: Private investigators want a look at the rolls | The Australian.