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State Election

The Western Australia Electoral Commission has advised that the next State Election will be held on 8 March 2025. 

In the case that a current Elected Member of the City of Perth runs as a candidate in the State Election, under the Local Government Act 1995, they may continue to hold their office on the City of Perth Council and undertake the duties of that role until they are declared elected as a member of the Parliament (section 2.20 of the Local Government Act 1995).

Following election to Parliament a vacancy on Council will occur when the Elected Member – 

  • resigns, or
  • advises or accepts that they are disqualified (Under section 2.20 of the Local Government Act 1995) or
  • is declared to be disqualified by the State Administrative Tribunal 

To find out more, please see our FAQs. 

 

FAQs

  • Does an Elected Member who is elected in a State Election have to resign from Council?
    No. However, they will be automatically disqualified upon election subject to the provisions and processes of Section 2.20 of the Local Government Act 1995.  
  • Does an Elected Member who nominates to be a candidate in a State Election have to resign from Council?
    No. Nomination to be a candidate in a State election does not disqualify an Elected Member from being a member of Council. They would only be disqualified from being a member of Council when elected to State Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20 of the Local Government Act 1995.
  • Noting the recent changes to the Local Government Act 1995, what happens if the Lord Mayor resigns within 12 months of his election in October 2023?

    The introduction of optional preferential voting as part of the Local Government Amendment Act 2023 means that vacant positions can now be filled based on the results of an election that has taken place within the previous 12 months.

    Schedule 4.1A and 4.1B of the Act provides for the filling of vacancies using backfilling provisions.

    If the Lord Mayor were to resign his position within 12 months of his election (October 2023), the new provisions apply and the Chief Executive Officer would write to the runner up to backfill from the previous mayoral election and offer them the vacant position. 

  • There is a Local Government Ordinary Election to be held in October 2025 - if an Elected Member is elected to State and leaves Council, will the City have to hold two elections in one year?
    Council may request that the Electoral Commissioner postpone the election to fill the vacant position and consolidate it with the Ordinary Election (section 4.16(4) Local Government Act 1995). This would avoid the cost to ratepayers of two elections.
  • What guides an Elected Member's conduct when they become a candidate in a State Election?
    The City of Perth Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates will continue to guide them in their role as an Elected Member.
  • What happens if there is more than one vacancy on Council?
    If Council has the numbers required to meet its decision-making requirements under the Local Government Act 1995, Council may request the Electoral Commissioner postpone the election required to fill the vacancies and consolidate it with the Ordinary Election to be held in October 2025.
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