Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

A candidate for a Senate election or House of Representatives election may withdraw the candidate’s consent to a nomination by lodging a notice of withdrawal with the Electoral Commissioner. The withdrawal must be made before the hour of nomination.

If:

a candidate for a House of Representatives election for a Division is nominated in a bulk nomination by the registered officer of a registered political party; and

the candidate withdraws the candidate’s consent to a nomination;

the withdrawal does not affect the nomination of the other candidates nominated in the bulk nomination; and

the registered officer may amend the nomination, at any time before the hour of nomination, to substitute another candidate for that Division.

An amendment under paragraph (2)(d) must:

be made by notice in writing to the Electoral Commissioner; and

be in the approved form and signed by the registered officer.

If a candidate withdraws his or her consent to a nomination, the deposit lodged in relation to the nomination must be returned to:

the person who paid it; or

a person authorised in writing by the person who paid it.

If a candidate withdraws his or her consent to a nomination, the nomination ceases to have effect.