Sydney Morning Herald Editorial 
October 3, 1998

The frustrating aspect for people concerned about the integrity of our voting system is that the anecdotal evidence of mistakes and rorts is invariably confirmed when these matters are investigated. A Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by the Labor MP Michael Lee, inquiring into the conduct of the 1987 election, for instance, confirmed that about 325 votes in each seat were incorrectly ruled informal and not counted. Mr Lee argued that this level of mistakes was 'dangerous' and that there was no way of knowing which way the votes would have gone.

After the 1993 election, the Independent MP, Ted Mack wrote to the then Minister for Administrative Services, Senator Bob McMullan, detailing 'certain concerns' about the Electoral Commission's conduct in his electorate. One was the disappearance of 260 votes cast for Mr Mack.