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Divisional State Councilor for the Defence Section – Election concluded

Thaelen Rushton, CEPU SA delegate at BAE has been elected unopposed to the State Council!

AEC documents relating to this election can be downloaded below, or you can contact the CEPU SA office or the AEC to obtain copies.

AEC Post Election Report

AEC Declaration of Results

Election Notice

“The Australian Electoral Commission has declared the results of the October 2025 election for a State Councillor representing the Defence industry section. Thaelen Rushton has been declared elected unopposed. A copy of the post-election report, which includes a copy of the AEC declaration was previously posted and can be found above.

After completion of an election conducted under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 the AEC must prepare a post election report. Among other things, the report must include any rules that were difficult to interpret or apply. In the case of this election, the AEC found no rules that were difficult to interpret or apply. However, the AEC referred to CEPU rule 15.14.2, in the rules covering the electrical, energy and services division, which provides that:

“15.4.2 Any ballot shall commence no later than four (4) weeks after the close of nominations and shall conclude no later than three (3) weeks after commencement.”

Under the heading “Rules that were difficult to interpret or apply”, the AEC found that 3 weeks is insufficient for the duration of a postal ballot to allow reasonable time for the delivery of mail and for electors to complete and return their ballot papers and on this occasion, using its powers under s.193 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009, directed that the postal ballot be open for at least twenty eight (28) days.

The AEC noted that the CEPU rules could be updated using the model rules published by the Fair Work Commission to extend the period of the ballot to 28 days. The union has advised the AEC that all rules changes must go through our governance procedures. A rule amendment consistent with the AEC’s proposal will be tabled at the first 2026 meeting of Divisional Executive.”

Our Response to the AEC