Every non-Governmental political party in Western Australia has joined forces to demand a full, bipartisan Parliamentary Inquiry into the conduct of the 2025 State Election.
The open letter – signed by The Nationals WA, WA Liberal Party, One Nation WA, The Greens WA, Legalise Cannabis WA, Australian Christians WA, and Independent for Fremantle Kate Hulett – calls on Premier Roger Cook to urgently establish a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate widespread concerns.
Concerns include shortages of ballot papers and voters being redirected to other polling locations, incorrect advice and ballot papers being provided by polling booth staff, and Party appointed scrutineers being asked to assist in the count.
There are also emerging concerns that staff hired by PersolKelly have not been paid.
Opposition Leader Shane Love MLA said the united stance reflected the seriousness of the issues raised.
“This is a rare and powerful show of unity from across the political spectrum, and it sends a clear message to the Premier,” Mr Love said.
“WA’s democratic process is sacrosanct, and we are demanding the Premier stop hiding from calls for a Parliamentary Inquiry, which is the only mechanism which can compel evidence, call witnesses, and deliver answers.
“The people of WA deserve answers into the countless failures and irregularities which have been reported by voters, polling booth staff, and candidates, and which have left many voters disenfranchised and questioning the integrity of our electoral process.”
Mr Love said the Parliamentary Inquiry must also investigate the $86 million contract awarded to Singapore-based recruitment company, PersolKelly, by the State Government.
“This includes revelations that PersolKelly donated almost $70,000 to the WA Labor Party after the contract was awarded, a move which represents a clear and unacceptable conflict of interest.”
Mr Love said claims from the State Government in recent days that no Minister approved the contract were troubling.
“If the claims made by the State Government are correct, and this contract was tendered and awarded without any Ministerial oversight, then we have a serious problem with accountability in our procurement processes,” he said.
“That this this $86 million contract does not appear to be listed or accounted for in any State Budget documents is highly irregular and must be investigated with urgency.
“The Premier must face up and commit to a bipartisan Parliamentary Inquiry so that we can understand how this debacle was allowed to happen and make recommendations to ensure it can never happen again.”
