Agency Purpose The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.
The AEC's values and commitments The AEC values and commitments are an essential component of our operating environment and frame how AEC staff work. The AEC's focus is on electoral integrity through the values of quality, agility, and professionalism.
The Team The Legal Services Branch is a small and dynamic team that provides legal, commercial, and regulatory advice, and conducts investigations to ensure the integrity of Commonwealth electoral systems and processes. The Branch also has an active role supporting and increasing capabilities across the AEC through training and guidance.
The Legal Services Branch is headed by the Chief Legal Officer and has three legal teams: Electoral Law, Corporate Law, and Regulatory Law. Branch members are located in Canberra and in Brisbane (out-posting considered on a case-by-case basis depending on skills and experience).
Electoral Law Provides strategic legal advice to the AEC in relation to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984, as well as industrial elections, fee-for-service elections and ballots, and Torres Strait Regional Authority. Advises on statutory interpretation and administrative law issues. Provides advice and support in relation to the legislative development process. Assists the AEC in making robust administrative law decisions. Corporate Law Provides advice to the AEC on matters that affect the day-to-day running of the agency including advising on a wide range of privacy, information law, commercial law, and employment law matters. Regulatory Law Provides regulatory advice on the operation and effect of the law on anything to do with elections and referendums in the civil and criminal context. Responsible for the administration and enforcement of the authorisation requirements, multi voter and non-voter requirements, anti-avoidance compliance, and other offences in electoral legislation (bribery, misleading information, polling place offences). The Opportunity We are looking for legal talent to fill a vacancy and create a merit pool for future opportunities, at the Executive Level 1. Senior Government Lawyers manage and undertake the day-to-day matters relating to the provision of legal advice and services to all areas of the AEC.
The duties of the positions involve being responsible for undertaking complex and/or sensitive legal work under broad direction, including providing high-quality legal advice, undertaking research and analysis of legal issues, and participating in section planning and aligning longer-term plans with the AEC's goals and objectives.
To excel you'll have:
The ability to perform the duties of a Senior Government Lawyer or Government Lawyer and well-developed ability to analyse issues and provide high-quality legal services. High standard of attention to detail and effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to work under limited supervision, take initiative, meet deadlines, and support management of a legal practice. Proven ability to work within a team and lead legal matters to ensure high-quality outputs, including building team capability to maintain a high level of expertise and encourage career development. Experience in developing and actively managing key internal and external relationships, including collaborating with key stakeholders to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes, and facilitate cooperation. Personal drive and integrity whilst achieving results within legislative and budget parameters. A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, admission to practice in Australia as a legal practitioner and a practising certificate (or ability to acquire one). Eligibility AEC employees must be Australian citizens. Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered. Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance. Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.
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