Western Australia's Parliament is poised for a decisive vote on the future of the state's Electoral Commissioner, Robert Kennedy, after he resisted calls to resign over the troubled March 8 state election.
Ultimatum Issued as Commissioner Resists Calls to Quit
Premier Roger Cook has publicly dismissed suggestions that Mr Kennedy is being made a scapegoat for the election day failures. The West Australian understands that the Commissioner has been given a firm ultimatum: resign by midday on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, or face a motion in Parliament to remove him from his position. Mr Kennedy has been on personal leave since shortly after the poll, which was plagued by significant operational problems.
When pressed on Tuesday, the Premier refused to detail the specific grounds for demanding the resignation. "We are undertaking a range of processes at the moment," Mr Cook stated. He confirmed discussions with the Speaker regarding a potential parliamentary motion, emphasising that "only Parliament can remove an electoral commissioner." He declined to comment on private conversations between the Public Sector Commissioner and the Electoral Commission, labelling them "sensitive matters."
Inquiry Points to Budget Cuts, Premier Defends Process
The controversy follows an independent inquiry led by lawyer and former Governor Malcolm McCusker. That report pointed the finger at budget cuts for leading to "completely inadequate" staffing levels at polling booths on election day. However, Premier Cook would not be drawn on whether Mr Kennedy had specifically requested more funding before the event.
He outlined the standard procedure, stating, "They liaise with the Department of Treasury and Finance and they advance in the event that they have extra expenses. That's the way it's always been." Despite the turmoil, the Premier offered praise for the current acting leadership, noting that "the current team at the Electoral Commission have been very good." Acting Commissioner Dennis O'Reilly was appointed in May when Mr Kennedy commenced leave.
Political Reactions and the Path to a Parliamentary Vote
Opposition figures have maintained pressure on the issue. Nationals Leader Shane Love, who has repeatedly called for Mr Kennedy to resign or be sacked, previously tabled a motion to declare the Legislative Assembly had "no confidence" in the Commissioner and to request his removal. Arriving at Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Love adopted a more cautious tone, saying, "We'll see what happens over the next few days."
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas framed it as a matter for the government, commenting, "They have employed him, and it's their job to work through any contractual arrangements with him that they see fit." Premier Cook stopped short of making a direct public call for Mr Kennedy to step down, stressing the Commissioner's independent role from the executive government. The stage is now set for a rare parliamentary vote to determine the fate of a key independent officer of state.
