Why is an election being held?

Elections are held every four years for the elected officials – the Secretary and two Assistant Secretaries. Elections are held every two years for the President, Vice President, Executive Members and Branch Councillors. 

This year is the four-year full Branch Council election.

What positions are up for election?

The Branch Secretary, two Assistant Secretaries, President, Vice President, four Executive Members and 14 Branch Councillor positions. That’s 23 positions in total.

The Branch Secretary and Assistant Secretaries are responsible for managing more than 180 ANMF staff, the union’s day-to-day activities and services supporting members across the state, and high-level advocacy with relevant government departments.

Branch Council is the union’s highest decision-making body. The President, Vice President, Executive Members and Branch Councillors are responsible for the union’s governance.

How will the election be conducted?

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is conducting the election as required by the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. It will be a postal vote.

Why is it important to vote?

It’s not compulsory to vote, but it is important so that as a member you have a voice in who runs your union. ANMF (Vic Branch) is the largest branch of the country’s largest union, and members have benefited from stable leadership for more than three decades. The Maddy Harradence Team has unified candidates running for all 23 positions. Our team will maintain stability, build on the ANMF’s track record of success and offer leadership renewal and a laser-focus on improvements to staffing, safety and strong wage outcomes.

When do I vote?

The AEC will send all members who were financial as at 30 June 2025 a postal ballot. Ballots will start being sent on 8 September 2025 and must be returned via the reply-paid envelope by 10am on 6 October 2025.

Every vote matters, but ballots still on the kitchen bench can’t be counted. We all lead busy lives – as soon as you receive your ballot, vote, sign it and post it back.

What is the last date for posting back my ballot?

We recommend posting your ballot back to the AEC by Sunday 28 September 2025, which is a week before the ballot closes.

To avoid delays, post your reply-paid ballot back via an Australia Post mailbox.

How do I vote?

To ensure your vote is valid, put a cross in 23 boxes covering all 23 positions.

To vote for the Maddy Harradence Team put a cross in the box for all of our 23 candidates. You can follow our how-to-vote flier or cross the box for all candidates who state they are running for the Maddy Harradence Team. It is important not to miss any, and not to put a cross in the box for any additional candidates or your vote may not count.

What if I am eligible and don’t receive a ballot paper?

The AEC will start mailing postal votes on Monday 8 September. If you haven’t received a ballot paper, and the candidate statement booklet, by Monday 22 September contact AEC Returning Officer Hanish Gupta via iebevents@aec.gov.au or 03 9285 7111.

Complete the ballot as soon as you receive it and post it back in the AEC reply-paid envelope provided.

What if I’ve moved house since 30 June?

Contact the AEC Returning Officer Hanish Gupta via iebevents@aec.gov.au or 03 9285 7111 to update your address and request a new ballot.

What do I do if my vote is damaged?

Contact the AEC Returning Officer Hanish Gupta via iebevents@aec.gov.au or 03 9285 7111as soon as possible.

When will we know the election result?

The AEC will declare the result within two weeks of the close of the ballot – so by Monday 20 October.

Can I return ballots for fellow ANMF members?

Each member must sign and seal their own individual ballot paper in the return reply-paid envelope. If multiple ballots are in one envelope then your vote will not be counted. 

How will candidates contact members?

Candidates only have legal access to names and postal addresses on the AEC’s eligible ANMF (Vic Branch) member list. Candidates can post information to members on that list, but we can’t email or call you.

Need more information?

If you have a question about the election process, contact the AEC Returning Officer Hanish Gupta via iebevents@aec.gov.au or 03 9285 7111.

For more information about the Maddy Harradence Team visit our ‘meet the team’ pages.