Referendum should feel normal: AEC

Australia's electoral commission boss says he wants people casting their votes in a referendum, to feel close to the experience they have on polling day. 

A parliamentary inquiry is being held into how the referendum process can be modernised before the nation heads to the polls on an Indigenous voice to parliament.

Electoral commissioner Tom Rogers told a committee hearing on Monday, the Referendum Act used to be updated at the same time as the Electoral Act but that stopped in recent years. 

He said the proposed changes to Australian referendum law brought forward by the government would bring it into line with the processes voters would see at a federal election. 

This included rules for postal voting, pre-poll voting, and funding and disclosures as well. 

"When voters do attend a polling place you'd like the experience to be common," Mr Rogers said.

When asked if the commission could successfully implement a South Australian style model for combating misinformation and disinformation in time for the lead up to the voice referendum - possibly going ahead late next year - Mr Rogers was blunt in response. 

"I don't want to sound trite, if parliament asks us to do something we will absolutely do it," he said.

"The level of work involved in that will be significant, should that occur and will need to be adequately resourced. 

"It'll be a very, very steep project for us to be able to do it, but again, if parliament asks us to do that, we'll pull out every stop and we'll make it happen."

Officials from the Finance Department told the committee there had been three referendums where no information pamphlet had been presented to voters, occurring after World War 1 ended, and then in the mid-to late 1920s.

The government has been criticised for proposing to scrap a 2000-word pamphlet outlining the for and against case for constitutional change to every household.

The government says the pamphlet is no longer needed due to the availability of information in the technological age.

Existing law was last used for the 1999 republic referendum with the parliament now reviewing it, due to updates to electoral processes, communication methods and technology.

A group of legal, electoral and constitutional experts also gave evidence at the hearing. 

Committee chair Kate Thwaites said experts would advise how proposed changes will modernise processes for referendums held in Australia. 

"While I know many are interested in highlighting views on issues like the referendum question, amendments to the Constitution or the merits of the voice to parliament, it's important to note that this inquiry will not be examining these matters," she said.

The committee will instead focus on the proposed changes to referendum processes. 

The Albanese government has pledged to hold a referendum on the voice to parliament in its first term and a vote is expected to take place from late 2023.