WA election: Nationals leader Shane Love calls for parliamentary inquiry into WA Electoral Commission

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WA election: Nationals leader Shane Love calls for parliamentary inquiry into WA Electoral Commission

The West *********** opposition is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into Saturday’s state election, claiming some voters may have been “disenfranchised” from casting a ballot.

Shane Love, the leader of WA’s beleaguered opposition, said an inquiry into alleged shortcomings at the Western *********** Electoral Commission should be the “first order of business” for the new parliament following widespread reports of staff and ballot shortages.

“The first order of business for the new parliament must be to suspend the electoral commissioner while a thorough inquiry into the conduct of the WAEC at the election is held,” he said on Monday.

“This must include whether the electoral commissioner was competent and capable of performing their duties.

“These are not minor administrative issues. They go to the heart of public confidence in our democratic system.”

Some voters across the vast mining state were kept waiting for lengthy periods of time to vote, while some booths reportedly ran out of ballot papers.

Camera IconWA Nationals leader Shane Love wants a parliamentary inquiry into the state election on Saturday. NewsWire / Sharon Smith Credit: Supplied

Mr Love said he had heard of voters being denied a chance to cast a ballot due to identification issues.

Presenting an ID card to vote is not required under WA law.

“Many voters felt disenfranchised,” Mr Love said.

“The reports we’ve received from across the state are troubling and suggest a system stretched beyond capacity.”

WA Premier Roger Cook, speaking to reporters on Sunday after his emphatic victory, acknowledged the wait times on Saturday were “unacceptable”.

“I just want to say, it was unacceptable yesterday, the waiting times for people, having to wait to vote,” he said.

“It was unacceptable the WAEC ran out of some ballots at some booths.

“We were disappointed with the WAEC’s running of the election yesterday and I’m sure a lot of people shared our frustration.”

Mr Cook said he would be “formally briefed” on Saturday’s operation in the “next few days”.

WAEC commissioner Robert Kennedy was appointed to the role in 2020.

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Mr Love also criticised what he called the “outsourcing” of election functions to private contractor PersolKelly.

“Outsourcing the administration of our state election to an untested external contractor is unprecedented and deeply concerning,” he said.

“Elections should be conducted by an independent, publicly funded electoral commission, not a private recruitment agency.”

Mr Love said any investigation into the WAEC should be conducted by an upper house committee.

“Asking the WAEC to investigate itself would be like asking the fox to review the security of the *********,” he said.

“A parliamentary committee with the power to call witnesses and conduct public hearings is essential.”

Mr Cook trounced the Liberals and Nationals on Saturday, propelling Labor to a third consecutive term in office.

As of Monday afternoon, Labor holds 41 seats, while the Liberals hold five and the Nationals four.

Nine seats remain in doubt.

Parties need to win 30 seats to govern.

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