WA premier seeking legal advice to move election amid federal vote clash concerns

Uncertainty over when next year’s federal election will land is sparking concerns for an Aussie state’s own election – with the premier confirming he is seeking legal advice to move the poll date.

Western Australia’s premier Roger Cook is seeking legal advice on moving his state’s election date, following uncertainty over whether the looming federal election could clash with WA’s.

WA is locked in to vote on March 8 to align with its fixed four year parliamentary terms.

Mr Cook said on Monday he was seeking legal advice on whether he could move his state’s vote.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook says he is seeking legal advice on moving his state’s election next year. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

“We have to be ready for any contingency,” Mr Cook told a business breakfast in Perth, The Australian reported.

“We know that our election will be on the 8th of March, but there’s also a great deal of flexibility in relation to when the federal election is.

“We have a limited ability to switch our election date if the federal election comes in on top of that.

“So as you understand, we’re doing a lot of work at the moment, and the Electoral Commission is doing a lot of work, just understanding what some of those complexities might be in the event that the federal government decides to have an election close to ours.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) is yet to call a date for a federal election. Picture: NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

The federal election needs to be held by May next year, but there is speculation it could be held in March.

With polls and analysts pointing to a federal Labor government returned in minority, the national outcome could sway Western Australia’s outcome.

Meanwhile, what happens at a state level could be seen as an indicator of what to expect federally, as has been suggested by the Queensland election.

The WA government has confirmed the state election date issue is being investigated.

“Fixed WA election dates were introduced in 2011. Next year is the first time there is a possibility a federal election may be called in close proximity to the fixed state election date,” the spokesperson said.

“Given this, it was prudent for the state government to seek legal advice on implications for the state election date if the federal election is called close to the state election.

“In the event a federal election is called in proximity to the state election, the state government would work with the WA Electoral Commission and the Opposition to ensure the Western Australian election runs smoothly.”

Originally published as WA premier seeking legal advice to move election amid federal vote clash concerns