❓ Question regarding the government's position on compulsory voting for local government elections and consultation plans, given recent media comments and local government dysfunction.
AnsweredQoN 412Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Local government elections
412. Ms Kirrilee Warr to
the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to recent
media comments from the Premier suggesting compulsory voting for local
government elections, which the minister downplayed as not a current priority.
(1) What is the government's position on
compulsory voting, and will local governments be fully consulted before any
change?
(2) What discussions has the minister had with the
Minister for Electoral Affairs and the Western Australian Electoral Commission about
its capacity to deliver such elections, given budget pressures and senior staff
vacancies?
412. Ms Kirrilee Warr to
the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to recent
media comments from the Premier suggesting compulsory voting for local
government elections, which the minister downplayed as not a current priority.
(1) What is the government's position on
compulsory voting, and will local governments be fully consulted before any
change?
(2) What discussions has the minister had with the
Minister for Electoral Affairs and the Western Australian Electoral Commission about
its capacity to deliver such elections, given budget pressures and senior staff
vacancies?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the
question. As the Premier has said, we should be having the conversation with
the community around compulsory voting for local government elections. What has
been on full display in some local governments recently, given the decisions I
have had to make regarding some dysfunctional local governments, is one of
those proof points that say that if more people are involved in the democratic
process, we may be able to get more functional local governments. That is a
conversation that deserves to be had with the local government sector and the
community. I have started those conversations. Depending on those conversations,
further conversations will happen. I have certainly had preliminary
conversations with the Minister for Electoral Affairs, who used to be the local
government minister.
question. As the Premier has said, we should be having the conversation with
the community around compulsory voting for local government elections. What has
been on full display in some local governments recently, given the decisions I
have had to make regarding some dysfunctional local governments, is one of
those proof points that say that if more people are involved in the democratic
process, we may be able to get more functional local governments. That is a
conversation that deserves to be had with the local government sector and the
community. I have started those conversations. Depending on those conversations,
further conversations will happen. I have certainly had preliminary
conversations with the Minister for Electoral Affairs, who used to be the local
government minister.
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