The Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC is set to lead a comprehensive, independent Special Inquiry into the management of the 2025 State election, the Queensland Government has announced.
The Government says the approach has the support of the Liberal Party, Nationals and Greens, who were consulted on the Terms of Reference.
The review follows concerns raised by voters, candidates and Members of Parliament about the staffing and management of polling booths that led to long waits as well as delays with the vote counting process.
The inquiry will review the planning, management and resourcing of polling booths; ballot paper management; processing and counting of votes and the response on election day as issues arose.
A reference panel will be available to Mr McCusker (pictured) as Special Inquirer to help inform the review.
Premier, Roger Cook has sought a representative from each of the four major parties to join the panel with an electoral affairs expert to also be appointed.
He said Mr McCusker will be provided administrative support staff to ensure there are sufficient resources to undertake the review effectively and efficiently.
“Western Australia has a democratic process that is the envy of societies around the world so it is vital that we maintain public confidence in how that process is managed,” said Premier Cook.
“The final result of the March State election represented a clear and undisputable endorsement of my new Labor Government but any questions concerning the management of the poll deserve answers.
“That is why I have ordered an independent Special Inquiry to examine how the poll was planned, managed and resourced, so we ensure public confidence is maintained.
“It is appropriate therefore that Mr McCusker, an eminent barrister and former Governor of Western Australia who sits outside of government, reviews the management of the election and reports his finding and recommendations.”
The Premier has directed the Public Sector Commissioner to arrange the review, in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act 1994.
The final report of the inquiry is to be finalised by 30 June 2025 and delivered to the Public Sector Commissioner, who will provide it to Premier Cook.
Mr McCusker may seek an extension to the deadline if this is required.
“As the newly appointed Electoral Affairs Minister in the new Labor Government led by Premier Cook, I want to ensure both local government and State Government elections in Western Australia are handled in the most efficient and streamlined manner possible,” said Electoral Affairs Minister, David Michael.
“Western Australian electors deserve a clear, convenient and straightforward process when they exercise their right to vote, while ballot counting should be handled as efficiently as possible to achieve a timely and undisputable result.
“The inquiry will include a reference panel comprising members from each of the major political parties to ensure fair, impartial and mutually-supported outcomes,” he said.
Terms of reference
The Special Inquirer is to inquire into and report by 30 June 2025 on the following aspects of the planning and delivery of the 2025 WA State election with a focus on election day issues.
1. Were polling places adequately resourced having regard to:
- allocation and suitability of staff
- the procurement, appointment, training and management of staff
- monitoring of staffing?
2. What was the decision-making process for outsourcing aspects of the 2025 WA State election?
3. Was ballot paper allocation appropriately managed having regard to:
- availability of ballot papers at polling booths on election day
- where and why there were shortfalls (if any) at different booths
- how ballot paper availability was monitored and managed?
4. Was there adequate planning and management of polling places having regard to:
- communication to electors, candidates and parties of changes to electoral boundaries since the last election
- enrolment activities prior to the election
- adequacy of number and location of polling places
- voter access, wait times and queuing delays and the way they were addressed
- communication between polling places and the Electoral Commission?
5. Was the processing and counting of votes efficient and effective having regard to the systems for processing, counting and recording votes before, during and after election day?
6. Was the WA Electoral Commission’s response to issues arising on election day adequate?
7. What changes should be made by the WA Electoral Commission to improve the planning and delivery of future WA State elections
