Hon Tjorn Sibma questions the Minister for Electoral Affairs regarding a severance offer ultimatum given to Electoral Commissioner Robert Kennedy, despite no adverse findings from the McCusker inquiry. The Minister deflects, stating the matter is now for Parliament to decide.

AnsweredQoN 1148Legislative Council
Asked
2 December 2025
Portfolio
Electoral Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

Electoral Commissioner—Robert Kennedy
1148. Hon Tjorn Sibma to
the minister representing the Minister for Electoral
Affairs:
I refer to media
reports that the government has given the Electoral Commissioner Mr Robert
Kennedy—who remains on leave—an ultimatum to accept the terms
of a severance offer by midday today, or face actions to remove him from his
position.
(1) Noting that the McCusker inquiry into the
state election made no adverse findings against Mr Kennedy, why has the
minister lost faith in him?
(2) What decision-making process precipitated the
government offering Mr Kennedy the severance offer, and who was or were
involved in these decisions and in constructing the offer?
(3) What are the terms of the severance offer
provided to Mr Kennedy? Have previous offers been made and, if so, what are the
terms of those offers?
(4) What is the
supposed urgency in demanding Mr Kennedy accede to the government's ultimatum
today?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Electoral Affairs.
(1)–(4) The removal of an Electoral
Commissioner from office is a serious matter. The Leader of the Nationals gave
notice in Parliament in August of a motion to remove the Electoral
Commissioner. This is now a matter for the Parliament to decide.

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