South West politicians among outraged at overhaul of WA’s Upper House to introduce one vote, one value system

South West leaders are among those who have slammed the McGowan Government’s decision to introduce a one vote, one value system for the State Upper House in the biggest change yet in how WA politicians are elected. Under the proposed changes, the Legislative Council’s six existing electoral regions would be abolished and MPs would be elected on proportional representation across the entire State. It means no MPs would be elected specifically to represent regional areas — a major departure from the 18 who now come from the South West, Agricultural and Mining and Pastoral Regions. One MP would also be added to the Upper House — taking the total number from 36 to 37 — in a bid to eliminate deadlocks. The system would mirror how politicians are elected to the NSW and SA Legislative Councils and spell an end to the malapportionment that values votes in the bush up to six times those in the city. Premier Mark McGowan said no referendum would be held. Liberal South West MLC Steve Thomas said it was a “desperately sad” day for regional WA. “It’s a step towards Labor fulfilling its long held goal of decimating the regions and ultimately getting rid of the Upper House,” he said. “The Labor party needs to learn representation is about being able to communicate and see and speak to your local members and the Labor party is in the process of shifting most of those local members to Perth. “Its might be a good day for the Labor Party and its agenda, but it’s a tragic day for democracy and regional WA.” Mr Thomas said he was “utterly outraged”. “Right now there are six Upper House members that cover the South West, and three of them have offices in greater Bunbury and one in Margaret River,” he said. “Labor is intent on reducing that regional representation to a minimum to maximise its political benefit.” Nationals South West MLC James Hayward said the review was the “biggest attack on regional voices in State history”. “It will end regional representation across the State in the Upper House,” he said. “It’s a terrible outcome for regional communities. Most are battling to get the attention of the government now.” Opposition Leader Mia Davies labelled the review “a sham” and an attack on regional WA. “This Premier denied again and again prior to the election that electoral reform was on the agenda,” Ms Davies said. The new system was recommended by a Ministerial Expert Committee on electoral reform chaired by former WA Governor Malcolm McCusker. Mr McGowan said the review was initiated in the wake of the “clearly undemocratic” 2021 election result, which saw Daylight Savings Party candidate Wilson Tucker elected with just 98 first preference votes. “The Upper House is broken, the system is broken. Today is a historic day for democracy and fairness in WA,” he said. “Someone worth six times someone else is not the way Australia is. We don't have that view of our citizens.”

South West politicians among outraged at overhaul of WA’s Upper House to introduce one vote, one value system

Subscribe today.

Everyday Digital

Weekend Papers + Everyday Digital