Media Release | 22 December 2025
Shane Love MLA
Shadow Minister for Electoral Affairs
Shadow Minister for Electoral Affairs Shane Love MLA has slammed the Cook Labor Government for the farcical consultation process in the appointment of Western Australia’s next Electoral Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.
Mr Love said the government had ignored established convention and the views of other parliamentary parties on an appointment that goes to the very integrity of the State’s democratic system.
“The appointment of an Electoral Commissioner should always be a bipartisan matter,” Mr Love said. “This is not a role that belongs solely to the government of the day.”
Mr Love said, “It is very clear in the Electoral Act that the Premier is required to consult other political parties before making a recommendation to the Governor on the appointment of the Commissioner and or Deputy Commissioner.”
“That simply has not occurred,” he said. “The Nationals WA, and I understand, the Liberal Party and the Greens, support the appointment of Mr Dennis O’Reilly as acting Electoral Commissioner and Ms Rebecca Hamilton as acting Deputy Electoral Commissioner.
“I want to thank Mr O’Reilly and Ms Hamilton for their service over the past months.
“However, the three parties do not support making permanent appointments to these offices until there has been a comprehensive, robust and merit-based selection process. This has not occurred.”
Mr Love said this was yet another example of the Cook Labor Government trampling on proper process and transparency.
“In light of the failures exposed during the 2025 State Election, the appointment of the new Electoral Commissioner was an important moment to reset and restore public confidence in the Electoral Commission.
“There are no scheduled elections in the coming year, which means there is ample time to undertake a proper, open and transparent recruitment process, including advertising the position nationally and selecting the best candidate on merit.”
“If the Cook Labor Government is serious about restoring trust in the WA Electoral Commission, it must abandon predetermined appointments made behind closed doors,” he said.
“The best way to have restored public confidence was through an open, transparent and merit-based selection process, respecting convention and protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions.
“The Cook Labor Government has failed to do this.”
ENDS
