Special Inquiry into the Planning and Delivery of the 2025 Western Australia State General Election
496. Hon Maryka Groenewald to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to the widespread irregularities in the 2025 state election and the recent report findings.
(1) Why did the Premier choose to conduct an independent inquiry without parliamentary oversight?
(2) Will the Premier commit to launching a parliamentary inquiry into the conduct of the 2025 WA state election?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the Premier.
(1)–(2) To ensure that public confidence in Western Australia's democratic process is maintained, the government acted decisively and established an independent special inquiry on 2 April 2025. This decision was made following concerns raised by voters, candidates and members of Parliament about the planning and delivery of the 2025 Western Australian state election. Special inquiries are established for serious matters in which there is a clear and heightened public interest in an issue. The Public Sector Management Act 1994 requires special inquirers to act independently in relation to the performance of their duties. The approach to establish the inquiry had the support of the Liberal Party, the Nationals and Greens, which were consulted on the terms of reference, as were the other major political parties in Western Australia. The Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC, an eminent barrister and former Governor of Western Australia, was appointed as the special inquirer. The inquiry's report was tabled in Parliament today.
