Shane Love has called on the Cook Labor Government to explain why Western Australians are facing millions of dollars in election fines after what he described as the most poorly run State Election in the state’s history.
The Nationals WA Leader and Shadow Minister for Electoral Affairs said Budget Estimates revealed a sharp blow-out in penalty notices issued by the WA Electoral Commission (WAEC).
“In 2017, the WAEC issued around $1.2 million in fines. In 2021, it was $1.6 million. This year, more than 170,000 penalty notices have gone out, worth a staggering $8 million,” Mr Love said.
“Already, 25,000 voters have paid up, pumping $1 million into the State’s coffers. Another 126,000 people have received second infringement notices, meaning their fines could climb from $50 to $75. That could see a further $9.4 million in penalties – more than the past 40 years of election fines combined.
“This is nothing short of a cash grab from a Government that underfunded the WAEC, mismanaged the election, and is now punishing voters for its own incompetence. It’s the biggest rort I’ve seen from Roger Cook and his Labor team.”
Mr Love said his office had been inundated with complaints from voters disputing fines, describing cases of people left in queues, given the wrong papers by untrained staff, or turned away due to ballot shortages and early booth closures.
“Some, like 6PR host Chrissy Morrissy, turned up to vote only to find the booth shut, and still received a fine. Now Labor wants to sting those very same people with millions in penalties. Western Australians who tried to do the right thing and vote must be guaranteed that they won’t be fined, otherwise the WAEC must wipe the slate clean.”
He also criticised the WAEC for spending $150,000 on a Sydney consultancy firm to review its structure.
“They don’t need a glossy report from east coast consultants, they need leadership,” he said. “The absent Electoral Commissioner has lost the confidence of the public. He should resign, or be removed, and a permanent Commissioner appointed to restore trust in the process.”
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