NSW Electoral Commission warns of cyber risks to elections

The NSW Electoral Commission has issued a warning regarding multimillion-dollar funding shortfalls that threaten the integrity of future elections, including the state election scheduled for March. Commissioner Rachel McCallum informed a parliamentary committee that the government’s refusal to fund an overhaul of antiquated IT systems has created an “intolerable level of risk of election failure.”

McCallum cautioned that these budget constraints leave polls vulnerable to cyberattacks, external interference, and potential challenges to their validity. The commission has sought increased funding since 2019 to manage an expanding remit, but recent denials to roll over funds from previous budgets have reportedly caused “unnecessary financial risks” at a critical time.

A spokesperson for the commission added that the budget for the 2027 election remains stretched, noting broader concerns regarding AI agents accessing Australian public sector websites.