Parliament vote likely, as Electoral Commissioner refuses to go quietly

Premier Roger Cook has dismissed claims that the Electoral Commissioner is being made a scapegoat as Robert Kennedy resists calls to resign over the bungled March 8 State election.

Mr Kennedy went on leave shortly after the poll that was marred by problems and The West Australian understands that he has been given an ultimatum to quit by midday on Tuesday, or a motion will be put to Parliament to vote him out of the job.

Mr Cook refused to explain the grounds used to demand Mr Kennedy’s resignation

“We are undertaking a range of processes at the moment,” he said on Tuesday.

“There is a motion in the Parliament, and we are speaking with the Speaker about that particular motion.

“Only Parliament can remove a an electoral commissioner. It’s a decision for the Parliament, not the government.

“I’m not going to go into the conversations which have taken place between public sector commissioner and the Electoral Commission. These are sensitive matters.”

An independent inquiry by lawyer and former Governor Malcolm McCusker blamed budget cuts for “completely inadequate” staffing of polling booths, but the Premier wouldn’t be drawn on claims Mr Kennedy did request more funding.

“It’s very, very clear the practice that the Electoral Commission undertakes, and has undertaken for a number of elections,” he said.

“They liaise with the Department of Treasury and finance and they advance in the event that they have extra expenses. That’s the way it’s always been.”

Nationals Leader Shane Love has repeatedly called for Mr Kennedy to resign or be sacked, and has tabled a motion to declare the House has “no confidence” in him and to request his removal from office.

But he was more cautious as he arrived at State Parliament on Tuesday.

“We’ll see what happens over the next few days,” Mr Love said.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said it is a matter for the Government to decide.

“They have employed him, and it’s their job to work through any contractual arrangements with him that they see fit,” he said.

The Premier stopped short of publicly calling for Mr Kennedy to step down, before he’s pushed.

“It’s not my view, and it’s not appropriate for the premier to form a view on these matters. The Electoral commissioner is an independent officer, independent of the executive of the government, which is what the community,” he said.

But he praised Acting Commissioner Dennis O’Reilly, who was appointed in May when Mr Kennedy went on personal leave.

“The current team at the Electoral Commission have been very good, both in terms of change, but also in terms of good, sound, day to day management,” the Premier said.