Former governor to lead inquiry into WA election debacle

Former West Australian governor Malcolm McCusker will lead a special probe into the recent state election debacle.

McCusker will be joined by representatives from Labor, Liberals, the Greens and the Nationals, whose involvement has secured support of those parties for the inquiry.

Now-Premier Roger Cook and former WA governor Malcolm McCusker during a press conference in 2018.

The inquiry comes after strident criticism from all sides in politics over issues with voting in the March 8 poll due to huge lines, booths running out of ballot papers, poor training of staff, as well as a slow vote count and questions over the WA Electoral Commission’s $86 million contract with recruitment agency Persol Kelly to help staff the election.

New Electoral Affairs Minister David Michael said West Australians deserved a clear, convenient and straightforward process when they voted and vote counting should happen quickly.

“The inquiry will include a reference panel comprising members from each of the major political parties to ensure fair, impartial and mutually supported outcomes,” he said.

McCusker’s report is due by June 30.

Nationals leader Shane Love had previously called for a joint parliamentary committee investigation into the election, but the bipartisan aspect of this inquiry has won him over.

“Given the disastrous handling of the WA election, the Nationals are deeply concerned about the
integrity of our state’s democratic processes,” he said.

“This independent inquiry is a crucial step toward restoring public confidence in our elections. Ballot shortages, postal delays, missing mobile polling stations, and widespread voter frustration have all contributed to a serious erosion of trust in the process here in Western Australia.”

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas also welcomed the inquiry.

“Protecting our state’s democratic processes and procedures must be of the highest priority, and the West Australian public deserves to know these failings are identified, addressed, and rectified before the 2029 State Election,” he said.

Inquiry Terms of Reference

The Special Inquirer is to inquire into and report by 30 June 2025 on the following aspects of the planning and delivery of the 2025 WA State election with a focus on election day issues.

1. Were polling places adequately resourced having regard to: allocation and suitability of staff; the procurement, appointment, training and management of staff; monitoring of staffing?
2. What was the decision-making process for outsourcing aspects of the 2025 WA State election?
3. Was ballot paper allocation appropriately managed having regard to: availability of ballot papers at polling booths on election day; where and why there were shortfalls (if any) at different booths; how ballot paper availability was monitored and managed?
4. Was there adequate planning and management of polling places having regard to: communication to electors; candidates and parties of changes to electoral boundaries since the last election; enrolment activities prior to the election; adequacy of number and location of polling places; voter access, wait times and queuing delays and the way they were addressed; communication between polling places and the Electoral Commission?
5. Was the processing and counting of votes efficient and effective having regard to the systems for processing, counting and recording votes before, during and after election day?
6. Was the WA Electoral Commission’s response to issues arising on election day adequate?
7. What changes should be made by the WA Electoral Commission to improve the planning and delivery of future WA State elections?

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