Media Release | 12 August 2025
Shane Love MLA
Leader of The Nationals WA
Shadow Minister for Electoral Affairs
Leader of The Nationals WA and Shadow Minister for Electoral Affairs Shane Love MLA has renewed calls for the Electoral Commissioner to be removed and the $86 million contract with PersolKelly be torn up following the tabling of the Special Inquiry into the State Election.
Mr Love said the Inquiry laid bare a series of failings within the WA Electoral Commission (WAEC) in the lead-up to the State Election.
“The alarm bells were ringing loud and clear inside the WAEC, but leadership simply wasn’t listening,” Mr Love said. “Warning about inadequate funding, chronic understaffing, and a poor internal culture were ignored until it was too late, and it was WA voters who were left to pay the price.”
Mr Love said the Minister for Electoral Affairs must act immediately to replace Electoral Commissioner Robert Kennedy, who has been on paid leave since March.
“There is no way the WAEC can implement 24 recommendations and rebuild public trust while its leadership remains missing in action,” he said. “WA voters deserve a strong, accountable electoral commission, not one drifting without direction.”
Mr Love also took aim at the $86 million contract between the WAEC and recruitment company PersolKelly to fully outsource the temporary election workforce.
“This contract was unprecedented and unjustified, with the Inquiry finding it was the first time in the history of any State or Federal election in Australia that workforce outsourcing has been done on this scale, and recommended WAEC reconsider this decision.
“The Premier has repeatedly claimed that outsourcing of election workers is normal, yet this Inquiry found this process was anything but.”
Mr Love said the contract must be cancelled at the earliest opportunity.
“Ideally, it should have been scrapped immediately after the shambolic State Election, but thanks to the Government’s complacency, changing course now risks disrupting the upcoming local government elections.”
Mr Love said the Inquiry also exposed serious funding shortfalls that undermined the WAEC’s ability to deliver the election.
“The failure of the State Government to heed repeated warnings about adequate funding, including a $12 million funding request which was refused by Treasury, placed additional pressure on the WAEC and resulted in thousands of polling day staff being axed to keep costs within budget.”
Mr Love said the Special Inquiry proved the many flaws and failures on polling day were avoidable.
“The Government and WAEC knew of the challenges but failed to plan. Instead of addressing staffing shortages and training needs, they outsourced them, and the results speak for themselves.
“This includes the revelation over 400 polling staff positions were yet to be filled in the days before the State Election, contrary to claims made by PersolKelly and parroted by the State Government.”
Mr Love said the State Government and the WAEC now faced a massive task before the 2029 State Election.
“Implementing these 24 recommendations will require new leadership, proper resourcing, and oversight that this Government has repeatedly failed to deliver.
“The Opposition will be watching closely to ensure the WAEC is up to the task of delivering the accessible, efficient, and high-quality elections WA voters expect and deserve.”
ENDS
