To politics now, and WA Premier Roger Cook has just held a press conference where he has thanked Electoral Commissioner Robert Kennedy for his service despite reported pressure the government was placing on him to resign or face being sacked by vote in Parliament.
Parliament was set to debate a motion to remove Kennedy from the role after the trouble-plagued March 8 election, but Kennedy tendered his resignation to Governor Chris Dawson on Tuesday.
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It was reported the Kennedy had been provided an ultimatum to resign or be sacked, which Cook would not confirm this morning, saying he would not go into private conversations had between the Public Sector Commission and Kennedy.
Kennedy’s sacking by parliament vote was not guaranteed, however, with Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas stating yesterday his party would not move the motion in parliament, leaving it up to the state government.
With some relief Cook said Kennedy’s sacking avoided the mess.
“I’d like to thank Robert Kennedy for his service in the role of the Electoral Commissioner. He has submitted his resignation, and we will now go about the task of appointing a new one,” he said.
“From an extraordinary perspective, the actual Leader of the Opposition then cast doubt over whether he, as the leader of the opposition, will support his shadow ministers motion in the parliament.
“So we understand that led to a period of some confusion and concern. But these matters have been taken out of our hand hands, and Mr. Kennedy has resigned into his role.”
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