Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

A writ for the election of a Member of the House of Representatives or for a general election for the House of Representatives shall be addressed to the Electoral Commissioner.

Only 8 writs shall be issued for each general election, namely:

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from New South Wales;

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from Victoria;

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from Queensland;

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from South Australia;

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from Western Australia;

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from Tasmania;

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from the Australian Capital Territory; and

a writ that relates to the members to be elected from the Northern Territory.

The 8 writs issued for a general election shall be issued on the same day.

Where a writ for an election to be held in a Division, or each Division, in a State or Territory is received by the Electoral Commissioner under subsection (1), the Commissioner shall:

endorse on the writ the date of its receipt;

advertise receipt of, and particulars of, the writ:

in not less than 2 newspapers circulating generally in the State or Territory; or

if there is only one newspaper circulating generally in the State or Territory—in that newspaper;

take such steps as the Commissioner considers appropriate to advise the Divisional Returning Officer or each Divisional Returning Officer, as the case requires, of the particulars of the writ, including the dates fixed by the writ; and

give such directions as the Commissioner considers appropriate to the Divisional Returning Officer or each Divisional Returning Officer, as the case requires, in relation to the holding of the election.

Where a writ for an election to be held in a Division or Divisions is received by the Electoral Commissioner under subsection (1), the Commissioner may, where he or she considers it appropriate, advertise receipt of, and particulars of, the writ, in a newspaper or newspapers circulating in the Division or in some or all of the Divisions, as the case requires.