Laurie McGrath

Was with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) from December 1984 till 2011, but still does contract work for them. Over the period he was with the AEC has occupied a range of operational and policy positions. His career has also included a stint in Cambodia in 1993 as a polling supervisor with the UN, a supervisor of the first South African election in 1994 following the dismantling of apartheid, the forms and ballot paper print co-ordinator for the UN sponsored East Timor vote in 1999, and every Australian Federal election, referendum and constitutional convention since 1974. Was a technical advisor to the new Tongan Electoral Commission, prior to and during the November 2010 Elections and returned in 2015 to advise on legislative changes to Tongan electoral laws. Attended the Australian Defence staff college as an expert advisor. From 2012 to current time have been an advisor to the Fijian Electoral Office and provided significant inputs into the 2014 Election. Am an accredited facilitator of the worldwide BRIDGE program (Building Resources in Democracies, Governance & Elections) and has over 100 hours of facilitation of the course. He also contributed to the Version 2 rewrite of the bridge program. Studied Law at UTS, holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, majoring in Governance from Griffith University and a graduate of the Australian Public Service Commission leadership course.

Thematic Areas of Expertise