Three amendments to electoral laws passed Parliament this week. 

Voters impacted by COVID-19 will be able to vote over the phone under the new changes, which also ban foreign campaigners from authorising electoral matters or fundraising more than $1000 per financial year.

Additionally, penalties for misleading someone casting their vote will be increased.

The COVID contingency arrangement for the 2022 election means voters who are isolating or quarantined on election can access the Australian Electoral Commission’s telephone voting system.

Telephone voting was previously available for blind and low-vision voters, as well as voters in Antarctica.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher says the government would prefer people use in-person or postal voting.

“This bill provides additional means when those options are not available due to COVID-19 isolation requirements during the final 72 hours before polling day,” he said.