Project No. 52

Commenced: 1974
Completed: 1975

In respect of (a) in the Terms of Reference, the purpose of s 143 of the Local Government Act 1960 (WA) was to enforce mandatory disclosure of the name of the person printing or authorising an electoral advertisement, handbill or pamphlet. The Commission’s attention was drawn to two articles in periodicals which might have had the effect of promoting candidates for local body elections but which did not appear to be subject to the provisions of s 143.

The Commission was asked to specifically look into the issues contained in (b) of the Terms of Reference following a complaint made to the Minister for Local Government that sitting councillors had access to electoral rolls after they had been used in local government elections and had been marked to show which persons had voted. It was claimed that this gave sitting councillors an advantage when campaigning in subsequent elections.

With regard to (c) in the Terms of Reference, s 140 of the Local Government Act 1960 (WA) lists the acts that constitute bribery. This section did not include the provision of transport for voters, which was a widespread practice.