Western Australia's political landscape has been rocked by the sudden resignation of the state's top electoral official, with Premier Roger Cook refusing to commit to providing additional funding for the beleaguered commission in the aftermath.
Polling Day Chaos Triggers Top Official's Exit
Electoral Commissioner Robert Kennedy resigned on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, following widespread failures during a recent state by-election. The debacle, which occurred during the Dawesville by-election on Saturday, May 25, saw significant issues at polling booths, including severe shortages of ballot papers. This left many voters frustrated and unable to cast their votes, sparking public outrage and calls for accountability.
Premier Roger Cook publicly confirmed Kennedy's departure, stating the commissioner had "done the right thing" by stepping down. However, the Premier stopped short of criticising Kennedy directly, instead focusing on the systemic failures that led to the chaotic scene. The problems were centred in the fast-growing Peel region, where electoral roll projections failed to keep pace with the increasing population, resulting in a critical undersupply of ballots.
Premier Withholds Funding Commitment Amid Scrutiny
In a move that has drawn further scrutiny, Premier Cook explicitly declined to promise any extra financial resources to the WA Electoral Commission (WAEC) to prevent a repeat of the incident. When questioned by journalists, Cook pointed to the existing budget processes. "They go through the normal budget processes," the Premier stated, indicating no special allocation was forthcoming despite the very public administrative collapse.
This stance raises immediate questions about the commission's capacity to administer the next state election, due in just under two years, without a review of its funding or resources. The opposition has seized on the issue, with WA Liberal leader Libby Mettlam labelling the polling day issues a "shambles" and calling for assurances that such failures would not be repeated.
Leadership Void and the Path Forward
With Robert Kennedy's immediate resignation, the commission is now under the temporary leadership of Deputy Electoral Commissioner Rebecca Ball. Ball will act in the role while the state government undertakes a search for a permanent replacement. The government has announced that a "full and thorough" independent investigation into the by-election failures will be conducted.
The core of the issue appears to be outdated population data. The WAEC reportedly relied on old projections from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which did not accurately reflect the rapid growth in areas like Mandurah. This miscalculation led directly to the insufficient printing and distribution of ballot papers.
The resignation marks a significant moment for the integrity of Western Australia's electoral system. With the 2025 state election on the horizon, all eyes will be on how the Cook government and the interim commission leadership restore public confidence. The Premier's reluctance to open the purse strings, despite the glaring operational failure, suggests the electoral commission will be forced to find solutions within its existing means, setting the stage for a critical period of internal reform.
