Media Release | 30 July 2025
Shane Love MLA
Leader of The Nationals WA
Shadow Minister for Electoral Affairs
Shadow Minister for Electoral Affairs Shane Love has reported that some Western Australians are being fined for failing to vote — despite having cast their ballot in the 2025 State Election — further undermining public trust in the electoral process.
Mr Love said his office had received complaints from electors shocked to receive penalty notices for non-voting, even though they had participated in the election.
“The Electoral Commission has now issued 170,000 fine notices to Western Australians”.
“It’s deeply concerning that people who fulfilled their democratic obligation are now apparently being penalised unfairly.” Mr Love said.
“This is just the latest issue in a string of failures surrounding the 2025 State Election, and it only adds to the growing perception that the system is in disarray.”
The reports follow widespread criticism of the conduct and administration of the State Election, including delays in vote counting, concerns raised by electoral officers, and the outsourcing of the administration to an overseas external contractor.
“We are now seeing the very people who did the right thing being treated as though they ignored their civic duty. It’s completely unacceptable and must be investigated immediately,” Mr Love said.
“The Electoral Commission must provide clarity on how this has occurred and ensure such fines are revoked.”
Mr Love said the situation reinforces the need for the Cook Government to release in full, the McCusker review of the 2025 election.
“Complete transparency by the government is required to restore trust in the Electoral Commission.”
“The fines process must be on hold until the Special Inquiry findings are made public, and if the inquiry demonstrates a failed system, fines should be waived.”
Mr Love said he would continue to raise the matter in Parliament and re-iterated his call for the immediate tabling of the Special Inquiry into the management of the 2025 State Election.
ENDS
