Key Takeaways:
- The Electoral Commissioner of Western Australia, Robert Kennedy, has resigned nine months after the state’s problem-plagued election.
- The election was marred by long wait times and a shortage of ballot papers at some polling places.
- An independent inquiry found that the issues were largely caused by the government’s denial of a request for more funding, which led to reduced staffing numbers.
- The government had reportedly given Mr. Kennedy an ultimatum to resign or be removed by a vote of parliament.
- The Acting Electoral Commissioner, Dennis O’Reilly, will continue in the role until a new commissioner is appointed.
Introduction to the Resignation
The Electoral Commissioner of Western Australia, Robert Kennedy, has resigned from his position, nine months after the state’s election was plagued by problems. The election, which took place in March 2025, was marred by reports of long wait times and a shortage of ballot papers at some polling places. The issues led to widespread complaints from voters and an independent inquiry was launched to investigate the causes of the problems. The inquiry found that the issues were largely caused by the government’s denial of a request for more funding, which led to reduced staffing numbers.
The Lead-Up to the Election
In the lead-up to the election, concerns had been raised about the Electoral Commission’s decision to outsource much of its workforce. The ABC revealed that these concerns had been raised, but seemingly not adequately addressed, by the Electoral Commission. The commissioner in charge had issued a warning six months before the election, but it appears that the warning was not heeded. The government had denied a request by Mr. Kennedy for more money, which led to his director of election operations reducing staffing numbers to stay within budget. This decision ultimately contributed to the problems experienced during the election.
The Aftermath of the Election
As the scale of the problems with the poll began to emerge, Mr. Kennedy took leave until the end of the year. The government has now confirmed that Mr. Kennedy has offered his resignation to the governor. The resignation comes after the government reportedly gave Mr. Kennedy an ultimatum to resign or be removed by a vote of parliament. The West Australian newspaper had reported that the state government had told Mr. Kennedy to resign or face removal by a vote of parliament. While other senior government officials can be sacked by the government, the commissioner’s independence means he can only be removed by his resignation or via rarely used powers that would have involved the governor.
Reaction to the Resignation
The resignation of Mr. Kennedy has been met with relief from some quarters. Nationals leader and Shadow Electoral Affairs Minister, Shane Love, said he felt "a great deal of relief" at Mr. Kennedy’s resignation. Mr. Love said that the resignation gives the opportunity for Western Australia’s Electoral Commission to get the leadership sorted. He also stated that while the government needed to reflect on its role in the funding issues that led to the problems, he stopped short of describing Mr. Kennedy as a scapegoat. Mr. Love emphasized that the government needs to accept that its refusal to provide the money requested by the Electoral Commission was a mistake and that it is essential to ensure that the commission is adequately resourced in the future.
The Way Forward
The Acting Electoral Commissioner, Dennis O’Reilly, will continue in the role until a new commissioner is appointed. Mr. Love has called for the government to advertise the position widely, as it is a specialist industry. He has confidence in the acting commissioner and the work that his team has been doing, but believes that it is essential to look as widely as possible for a new commissioner. Electoral Affairs Minister David Michael thanked Mr. Kennedy "for his service to the community" and said that a new commissioner and deputy commissioner would be appointed "in due course" after consultation with other parliamentary parties. The appointment of a new commissioner will be an important step in restoring the public’s trust in the Electoral Commission and ensuring that future elections are conducted smoothly and efficiently.
