An eBay user is attempting to sell their ballot paper in the upcoming same-sex marriage postal survey.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will start mailing out forms for the postal ballot on Tuesday, after the High Court dismissed a challenge to the eight-week national survey. User Garistides posted the item on the online auction website today with a price of $1500. “The reason I’m selling my vote is because either way I don’t care but thought there are people who do,” the post read. “Part of this auction proceeds will go to help kids battling cancer.” The West Australian has contacted Garistides, who confirmed the offer is genuine. According to the ABS, attempting to sell a ballot paper would likely be an offence against the Census and Statistics Act 1905 or the Commonwealth Criminal Code. A conviction could lead to a $2100 fine or 12 months imprisonment.
“The ABS has proactively contacted several online marketplaces including eBay, Facebook, Amazon, Alibaba, Gumtree,” the ABS said in a statement.
“To date Ebay and Facebook have confirmed listing survey forms or survey responses for sale would not comply with their policies and they will block and remove any such listings.”
Crossbench senator Nick Xenophon, who will be voting “yes“, said the eBay sale proved the need for urgent legislation. “That to me needs to be proscribed by legislation,” he told reporters.
Full Article: Same-sex marriage postal survey ballot for sale on eBay | The West Australian.