Question On Notice No. 780 asked in the Legislative Council on 9 August 2022 by Hon Dr Brian Walker
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Attorney General; Minister for Electoral Affairs
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
(1) Further to question on notice 584, part (4) answer, has the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC) initiated any prosecutions of electoral offences under the Local Government Act 1995 arising from the 2021 Local Government elections:
(a) if yes to (1), to which Local Governments did these apply, and what was the offence in each instance;
(b) who are or were the parties to any such prosecution, and what is the court citation for each; and
(c) how many electoral offence complaints are being investigated by the (WAEC) that could lead to a prosecution under the Local Government Act 1995 arising from the 2021 Local Government elections?
(2) Further to question on notice 584 parts (5)-(13) answers, in which Court of Disputed Returns proceedings arising from the 2021 Local Government elections did the Western Australian Electoral Commissioner appear in any capacity, either personally or by way of a representative:
(a) to which Local Government did the proceedings apply; and
(b) what is the court citation for each of these proceedings, and what was the outcome?
Answered on 21 September 2022
(1) No.
(a)-(c) Not applicable.
(2) (a) and (b) are answered in the table below:
| (a) |
(b) |
| 2021 Local Government Election |
Outcome |
Citation |
|
City of Belmont
|
Invalidity Complaint rejected |
GEN/10646/2021 |
| Town of Cambridge |
Withdrawn |
Not applicable |
|
Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale*
(Please note: There were two complaints lodged with respect to the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale election, but these were heard by the Court of Disputed Returns concurrently.)
|
Invalidity Complaint upheld |
GEN/1297/2021
GEN/1354/2021
|
The Electoral Commissioner has authorised this answer.