A dramatic political intervention has thrown the planned dismissal of Western Australia's Electoral Commissioner, Robert Kennedy, into disarray just hours before a critical parliamentary vote was set to proceed.
Last-Minute Intervention Halts Parliamentary Motion
Attorney General John Quigley made a surprise move on Wednesday, requesting the government business committee to withdraw a motion that would have seen Mr Kennedy removed from his position. The motion, which was scheduled for debate in the Legislative Council that very afternoon, was pulled at the eleventh hour.
The planned dismissal stemmed from a scathing report by the state's Auditor General, Caroline Spencer, tabled in parliament on Tuesday. The report criticised the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) for significant failures in its procurement practices, specifically concerning a $5.3 million contract for an online electoral roll system.
Mr Quigley stated he needed more time to properly consider the Auditor General's findings and their implications before any decisive action was taken against the commissioner. This pause represents a significant shift in the government's approach, which had initially appeared ready to act swiftly on the report's recommendations.
Audit Findings and Political Pressure
The Auditor General's report was highly critical of the WAEC's handling of the contract with IT firm IT Vision. The audit found the commission failed to ensure the contract represented value for money and did not adequately manage key risks associated with the project.
Key failures identified included a lack of documented analysis to justify the sole-source selection of IT Vision and insufficient oversight of the project's deliverables and timelines. The report concluded that the WAEC's procurement processes fell short of fundamental principles and did not comply with its own policies.
Opposition MPs had seized on the report, with Liberal MP Peter Collier preparing to move the motion for Mr Kennedy's removal in the Upper House. The motion cited the Auditor General's findings and a perceived loss of confidence in the commissioner's ability to lead the independent electoral body.
Uncertain Future for Electoral Commission Leadership
The sudden halt to the sacking plan leaves the leadership of the WAEC in a state of uncertainty. Robert Kennedy, who was appointed to a five-year term in 2021, now faces an extended period of scrutiny while the government deliberates.
The controversy raises serious questions about procurement governance within a key independent agency tasked with safeguarding the state's democratic processes. The WAEC is responsible for conducting state and local government elections in Western Australia.
Political observers note that the Attorney General's intervention may indicate a desire for a more measured, process-driven response to the audit, rather than an immediate political dismissal. However, pressure from the opposition and the gravity of the audit findings ensure that the issue remains a live and contentious matter in state parliament.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Robert Kennedy can retain his position or if the government will ultimately proceed with his removal after further consideration of the damning audit report.
