Text Size
Print 
Information Statement
Introduction
Our Aim
Our Purpose
Our Principles
Legislation
Organisational Structure
Decision Making Functions
Public Participation
Documents Held by the Commission
Operation of Freedom of information
Introduction
The Freedom of Information Act 1992 (the Act), which came into effect in 1993, created a general right of access to documents held by State and Local government agencies.
The Act requires agencies to make available details about the kind of information they hold and enables persons to ensure that personal information held by government agencies about them is "accurate, complete, up to date and not misleading".
The Western Australian Electoral Commission (the Commission) aims to make information available promptly and at the least possible cost, and whenever possible documents will be provided outside the Freedom of Information process.
In accordance with the requirements of Section 94 of the Act, the Commission has prepared an Information Statement to provide the public with details about its operations which will assist potential FOI applicants.
The Information Statement describes:
- our structure and functions;
- the ways in which our functions affect members of the public;
- any arrangements that exist to enable members of the public to participate in the formulation of policy and the performance of our functions;
- the types of documents that we usually hold;
- how the public can access documents held by us; and
- procedures for Freedom of Information access application and amendment of personal information.
Our Aim
To deliver quality, innovative and accountable electoral services every time for all Western Australians.
Our Purpose
To conduct impartial and independent elections and promote public awareness of electoral matters through education and information programs to foster public confidence and participation in the electoral process.
Our Principles
We are committed to the following principles to ensure that the Western Australian community will have confidence in the way we conduct our business operations:
RESPECT - that electors can have their say in the electoral decision process
INTEGRITY - in the administration of our business operations
IMPROVEMENT - in the quality and delivery of our services
SAFETY - and a healthy work environment
INNOVATION - in our strategies and processes
EVALUATION - of our performance
Legislation
Enabling Legislation
The Western Australian Electoral Commission was established by the proclamation of the Acts Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 1987.
Legislation Administered
Under theAlteration of Statutory Designations Act 1974, certain statutes are placed under the control of the Minister for Electoral Affairs. Of these, the Commission is responsible for administering the following:
Electoral Act 1907
An Act to regulate Parliamentary elections. This Act now includes electoral distribution legislation.
Franchise Act 1916
An Act to preserve the Franchise of Electors on Service with His Majesty's Forces.
Referendums Act 1983
An Act relating to the submission of questions to the electors of the State.
The Electoral Commissioner is subject to the provisions of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971, but only to the extent of the Electoral Commissioner's functions as Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Electoral Commission.
Legislation impacts all administrative and operational activities and the Commission complies with the following legislation in the performance of its functions:
| Administrative | Operational |
|---|---|
| Criminal Code | Constitution Act 1889 |
| Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwlth) | (Cwlth) Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 |
| Disability Services Act 1993 | Election of Senators Act 1903 |
| Electronic Transactions Act 2003 | Electoral (Ballot Paper Forms) Regulations 1990 |
| Equal Opportunity Act 1984 | Electoral (Political Finance) Regulations 1996 |
| Evidence Act 1906 | Electoral Regulations 1996 |
| Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 | Fines, Penalties and Infringement Notices Enforcement Acts 1994 |
| Freedom of Information Act 1992 | Franchise Act 1916 |
| Industrial Relations Act 1979 | Industrial Arbitration (Union Elections) Regulations 1980 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Act 1984 | Juries Act 1957 |
| Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972 | Local Government Act 1995 |
| Public Sector Management Act 1994 | Local Government (Elections) Regulations 1997 |
| Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 | Referendums Regulations 1984 |
| Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 | Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 |
| State Records Act 2000 | |
| State Supply Commission Acts 1991 | |
| State Superannuation Act 2000 | |
| Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 | |
Organisational Structure
The Electoral Commissioner and the Deputy Electoral Commissioner both hold independent statutory appointments under the Electoral Act 1907. They are responsible for the impartial administration of electoral law through the Western Australian Electoral Commission, which is a department of the State Public Service. The Electoral Commissioner is deemed to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission. The permanent staff members of the Commission are employed under the Public Sector Management Act 1994.
The functions of the Electoral Commissioner under Section 5F of the Electoral Act 1907 are to:
- be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission;
- be responsible for the proper maintenance of electoral rolls and the proper conduct of elections under the Act;
- consider and report to the Minister on electoral matters and such other electoral matters as the Electoral Commissioner sees fit;
- promote public awareness of electoral and parliamentary matters, by means of the conduct of education and information programs and by other means;
- provide information and advice on electoral matters to the parliament, members of parliament, the government, and other government departments and State authorities;
- conduct elections or polls that are provided for under any other written law, if authorised to do so under that written law or regulations;
- make arrangements with any person for the conduct by the Electoral Commissioner of elections or polls not provided for under written law on such terms and conditions as are agreed between the Electoral Commissioner and that person;
- conduct and promote research into electoral matters and other matters that relate to the functions of the Electoral Commissioner;
- publish material on matters that relate to the functions of the Electoral Commissioner; and
- perform such other functions as are conferred on the Electoral Commissioner by or under the Act or any other written law.
Decision Making Functions
Key Functions
The Commission operates within a legislative framework with outcomes that enable eligible electors in the Western Australian community to be able to participate in impartial, effective and democratic elections or referenda conducted by the Commission.
What We Do
- Plan, conduct and evaluate elections and referenda
Manage parliamentary elections - State general elections and by-elections in Western Australia; and
Manage non-parliamentary elections; local government and other elections.
- Manage electoral education and information
Encourage and promote community awareness and understanding of electoral processes through education and information.
- Maintain the electoral roll
Manage an accurate and up-to-date electoral roll.
- In addition we provide other services which include;
- providing roll products, maps and publications;
- promoting, funding and conducting research into electoral matters;
- assisting in distribution of electoral boundaries;
- providing an advisory service to customers on electoral matters;
- administering political party registrations; and
- administering disclosure of gifts, income and expenditure.
Further information can be found in our Strategic Plan and Annual Report.
Public Participation
The Commission offers its customers and other stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback about the goods and services that it provides and for the Commission to improve its processes as a result of this feedback. Opportunity for feedback is offered via :
- An online Feedback Form
- Surveys of electors and other stakeholders, conducted by the Commission after each election.
- Focus groups.
- The Commission works in consultation with the Disabilities Services Commission in developing access and inclusion plans to meet the requirements of voters with disabilities. Opportunities are provided for people with disabilities to participate in public consultations, grievance mechanisms and decision-making processes.
- In its management of non parliamentary and local government elections, the Commission liaises with the different stakeholder groups in terms of their requirements and therefore performance of agency functions.
Documents Held by the Commission
The following publications and/or information are available for purchase:
- over the counter at the Commission; or
- dispatched by mail on receipt of payment
* available for download from this website
The following publications are free of charge:
- Boundary Maps (opens in new window to the electorates and boundaries web site) *
- By-election Reports
- Enrolment Statistics *
- Legislative Council Re-count Results
- Annual Reports *
- Political Finance Annual Reports *
* available for download from this website
The Commission's publications are also available from the Library & Information Service of Western Australia (LISWA).
Types of Non-Public Information Held by the Commission
The Commission is required to keep full and accurate records and to implement and maintain records management programs which are managed in accordance with standards and codes of best practice issued by the State Records Office of Western Australia.
The RECFIND records management system is used for management of documents covering both administrative and operational policy. These include procedural, accounting, human resource and other documents in the form of files, correspondence, reports, notes, memos, returns, and maps that come into being as a result of, or arise in connection with doing our business. Records are organised by keyword and records categories covering the Commission's various functions and activities.
Internal Manuals
The Commission has internal manuals, in relation to Human Resources, Training of staff etc. However due to the large number of these documents it is not practical to list them individually.
Internal documents may be made available to the public upon application. It is possible that some documents may be partly or wholly exempt. In this case the exempt material will be removed prior to the document being made available.
