ELECTORAL REFORM
150. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Electoral Affairs:
I refer to speculation that the
government is readying a bill to provide for electoral reform in Western Australia.
(1) Has cabinet
considered a submission by the minister or the former Minister for Electoral
Affairs; and, if so, on what date was such consideration?
(2) Has cabinet
endorsed a position on electoral reform; and, if so, on what date was such
endorsement?
(3) Has the
minister or the former Minister for Electoral Affairs provided drafting
instructions to Parliamentary Counsel to prepare an electoral reform bill; and,
if so, on what date were such instructions given?
(4) Does the
minister intend to pursue electoral reform during this term of Parliament; and,
if so, by what means does he intend to commence consultation and with whom?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON
replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The
McGowan government went to the 2017 state election with a commitment to reduce
the financial disclosure amount from $2 500 to $1 000. It is intended that
legislation will be introduced into Parliament this year, along with amendments
to the Electoral Act 1907 and the Electoral (Political Finance) Regulations
1996 to deal with that issue.
I am also open to discussing further
opportunities for electoral reform and welcome the feedback of members of
Parliament about their appetite for possible changes.