❓ Question regarding the status of a police investigation into alleged electoral offences during a Port Hedland Town Council election, specifically concerning irregularities identified by the WA Electoral Commission.
AnsweredQoN 2197Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to an Ordinary Meeting of Council, Minutes, 22 May 2019, of the Port Hedland Town Council, and ask: (a) is it correct that Perth police have advised the Mayor that the investigation is still open and that he was still being contacted by the police in regards to the investigation as he was the one who submitted the complaint; (b) is it also correct that there was evidence of electoral offences; and (c) if yes to (b), what was the nature of the electoral offences and, if they involved voting irregularities, the total number of votes in question?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 August 2019
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Police
Response time
10 days
The Western Australian Police Force advise:
(a) The Mayor was informed of the result of the investigation on 28 September 2018 by South Hedland Detectives. The Ordinary Meeting of Council minutes of 22 May 2019 of the Town of Port Hedland make mention of information being received through the Freedom of Information process. As advised in response to Question on Notice 1822, Police will not comment on communication between any person and the Commissioner for Freedom of Information.
(b) Electoral fraud was identified as an offence however there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution.
(c) The WA Electoral Commission identified 112 irregularities to Police. The irregularities related to voter details and signatures.
(a) The Mayor was informed of the result of the investigation on 28 September 2018 by South Hedland Detectives. The Ordinary Meeting of Council minutes of 22 May 2019 of the Town of Port Hedland make mention of information being received through the Freedom of Information process. As advised in response to Question on Notice 1822, Police will not comment on communication between any person and the Commissioner for Freedom of Information.
(b) Electoral fraud was identified as an offence however there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution.
(c) The WA Electoral Commission identified 112 irregularities to Police. The irregularities related to voter details and signatures.
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