2024 VFF General Election

2024 VFF General Election

Notice of the 2024 VFF General Elections

The offices that will be contested by election and the candidates who will contest them as part of the 2024 VFF General Elections, are as follows: 

VFF President: 

  • Candidate: CUCINOTTA, Danyel 
  • Candidate: HOSKING, Brett 

VFF Vice-President: 

  • Candidate: FREE, Nathan 
  • Candidate: STAR, Peter 

You can click here to view VFF President Nominee candidate profiles- please note, this information is provided directly by the candidates themselves.  

There are a number of offices for which only a single nomination was received by the closing date. Candidates for these uncontested offices will be contacted.  

Election results and uncontested positions will be formally announced on Friday 20 December 2024. 

This election process will be conducted online for eligible voting members, with a postal voting option for those without a registered email address and those who specifically request it.  

2024 VFF Election Timeline

Please see 2024 VFF Election Timeline below. 

  • 5 August 2024: VFF General Elections announced 
  • 30 August 2024: Preliminary Notice 
  • 13 September 2024: Membership electoral role closes 
  • 27 September 2024: Call for nominations 
  • 11 October 2024: Nominations closed 
  • 16 October 2024: Notice of election 
  • 18-20 November 2024: Online/ requested postal ballots distributed 
  • 25 November 2024: Voting open 
  • 6 December 2024: Voting closes 
  • 20 December 2024: Election results announced 

Get to know your candidates

An online President forum will be held to ensure you have the opportunity to hear from VFF President candidates before casting your vote. 

When: Thursday 14 November, 6:00pm 2024 

Where: Online via Zoom 

Register below. 

The voting process

Voting in the 2024 VFF General Elections will be open for eligible voting VFF Members on Monday 25 November 2024 and close at COB Friday 6 December 2024. 

The 2024 VFF General Elections are being conducted online and eligible voters will receive full voting instructions via their email before voting opens. You can request a postal vote option by emailing [email protected] before 12pm Friday October 25 2024 with your correct mailing address. 

Please note, those without a registered email address with the VFF will receive a hard copy voting pack via their registered mailing address. 

More information

Should you have any questions, a reminder to familiarise yourself with the VFF Election Rules and below FAQs and if you still have remaining questions, please send them to the VFF Returning Officer at [email protected] and the response will be posted in the below FAQs as soon as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the election occurring now?

The VFF Constitution sets a two-year term limit for all VFF Office Bearers. The last election for President and Vice President was held in December 2022.  

Has a guide been prepared for the conduct of the election. If so is that available via application or to members?

The conduct of the 2024 VFF General Elections will be run in accordance with the VFF’s Constitution and Board approved Election Rules policy. Please click here to read more.  

What is the procedure of the upcoming election process?

The 2024 VFF General Elections will run in accordance with the VFF’s Election Rules policy. Please click here to read more. The process and timelines are outlined on the 2024 VFF General Elections webpage. 

Who is eligible to vote when the electoral role closes on 13 September 2024?

Only eligible VFF voting members will be included in the Electoral Roll when it closes on 13 September 2024. VFF members must be financial and have full voting rights as per the VFF’s membership structure. VFF Bronze members do not have access to voting rights as part of their membership entitlementsAny member whose membership fees are overdue by 120 days or more, as at 13 September, is ineligible to vote in the upcoming election.

Are UDV members that are paying levies eligible to vote?

YES – subject to levies not being overdue by 120 days or more as at 13 September 2024. Any member whose membership levies are overdue by 120 days or more, as at 13 September, is ineligible to vote in the upcoming election. 

Who is conducting the review the membership list?

In accordance with the VFF Constitution and Election Rules the Returning Officer finalises the Electoral Roll on 13 September 2024 that will include all eligible voting members. Voting members are defined by the Constitution. Every member is responsible to ensure that their member and nominee details are up to date. Send updates to [email protected] before 13 September 2024.

Can I ask questions on behalf of other eligible members?

To ensure the fairest possible process, the VFF will only accept questions from the individual asking the question and not on behalf of other eligible members. 

Is the membership electoral roll available to those to nominate for a position?

The member Electoral Roll is finalised on 13 September 2024. When candidates have lodged their nomination and had it accepted (any time after 11 October 2024), they can ask for (and receive) a copy of the electoral roll that relates to the office for which they have nominated.

Are proxies accepted for this election?

Proxy votes are not permitted for this election, as this is a general election, not being held at a general meeting of members.  

Can the VFF help distribute information to members on behalf of Candidates?

The VFF will publish a Candidate biography on its website but cannot distribute other information on behalf of Candidates. This is to ensure the VFF remains completely independent during the 2024 VFF General Election process. Candidates can request an electoral roll after their nomination has been formally accepted after 11 October 2024 which can be used to distribute information by the candidate regarding the election.

Will scrutineers be allowed to attend the count?

The Returning Officer will invite Candidates to nominate one Scrutineer that may attend the vote counting in accordance with the Election Rules to monitor transparency and fairness of the election.  

How will the election process be conducted?

The 2024 VFF General Elections are being conducted as approved by the Board and in accordance with the Election Rules that follow guidance provided by the Australian Electoral Commission. The voting system will be administered by VFF, under the direction of the VFF Returning Officer. When appointed, Scrutineers may monitor the election process during the counting of votes.

Are Ballots destroyed after the declaration of the results?

Ballots will be retained for 28 days following announcement of the 2024 VFF General Elections result. Following that, they will be destroyed. 

Do candidates and nominees need to be eligible VFF voting members?

VFF Election rules require candidates and nominees to be eligible voting members as per their individual VFF membership type. As a result, VFF Bronze members are not eligible to be candidates or nominees.

In the VFF election rules - what is meant by “voter franchise”?

Voter franchise, also known as suffrage or the right to vote, refers to the right of individuals to participate in electing representatives or making decisions through voting in elections. The extent of voter franchise can vary depending on legal, political and other systems, as it is subject to the specific circumstances and criteria of the particular election. The term is often discussed in the context of expanding or restricting voter rights within a group. As such the VFF constitution and rules define member’s voter franchise. 

In the VFF election rules - what is the preliminary scrutiny?

The preliminary scrutiny is conducted by the Returning Officer to affect section 9.9.8. Ballots are opened or disclosed for assessment in accordance with section 3.9.14 during which scrutineers may be involved. 

In the VFF election rules - why must each box on the ballot be filled in with a number in series starting from one?

To ensure the ballots are able to be assessed in the preferential voting system prescribed by the constitution.