The coronavirus pandemic is likely to push up the cost of the next federal election to $400 million, an inquiry has heard.
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The last election in 2019 cost around $300 million with another $70 million provided to political parties.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers told a Senate estimates committee on Thursday a range of measures to ensure the election was COVID-safe would add another $30 million to the cost.
But the final figure would not be known for some time.
Mr Rogers said the commission would need to buy personal protective equipment and take other steps to ensure the safety of voters and polling staff.
It could also be slower to count votes and involve longer queues for voters, he said.
Australian Associated Press
