Media Release | 11 September 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 demanded the Cook Labor Government explain why Western Australians are being slugged with millions of dollars in election fines following the most chaotic and poorly run State Election in WA’s history.
Mr Love said answers uncovered in Budget Estimates revealed an unprecedented 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 was being inundated with calls from furious voters disputing fines.
“People were left standing in endless queues, handed the wrong papers by untrained staff, or unable to vote at all because of ballot paper shortages and polling booths that closed early.
“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.”
Mr Love also blasted the WAEC for wasting $150,000 of taxpayer money on a Sydney consultancy firm to examine 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.”
ENDS
