New Bill paves way for four-year fixed terms of Government

Electoral Affairs Minister Norman Moore introduced legislation into State Parliament today to establish fixed four-year terms of government in Western Australia.

The first and second reading of the Electoral and Constitution Amendment Bill 2011 in the Legislative Council fulfils a promise made by the State Liberal Party before the 2008 election.

If passed as proposed, the next State general election will occur on March 9, 2013 and thereafter on the second Saturday in March every four years.

"This Bill will help deliver greater planning certainty to the community and business, as well as increase certainty about the operation of the Parliament, its legislative program and its committee system," Mr Moore said.

"It will also limit the chance of a future Government calling an early poll for purely political advantage, at the expense of what may be the State's best interest."

The Minister said fixed term elections would assist the administration of general elections and allow more effective planning of polls by the WA Electoral Commission.

Most importantly, the proposed legislation will:

• fix the date for Legislative Council general elections for the second Saturday in March every four years beginning in 2013
• provide for a joint general election to occur when the Legislative Assembly is dissolved or expires after November 1 in the year prior to the Legislative Council election. Thus the Legislative Assembly election will also have to be held on the second Saturday in March 2013 and every four years thereafter.

Mr Moore said the proposed Bill sought amendments to both the Electoral Act 1907 and Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899.

"There are complexities to this legislation and that is why I have consulted with the other parties before proceeding to this point," he said.

"However, I am confident the legislation will proceed and WA will move to fixed four-year Parliamentary terms in line with most other States and Territories in Australia."