Appointment of new Electoral Commissioner

  • Senior public servant appointed as Western Australian Electoral Commissioner
  • Electoral Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson today announced the appointment of Robert Kennedy as the new Western Australian Electoral Commissioner.

    Mr Kennedy has had a long career as a public servant in the Western Australian Government.

    He began employment with the Western Australian Government as a research officer in 1995. Mr Kennedy held various senior positions with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) since 2007.

    More recently, Mr Kennedy has been the Executive Director, State Services with the DPC since 2017.

    He also took on the position of Official Secretary to the Governor in an acting capacity for a few months in late 2019.

    Mr Kennedy will replace acting Electoral Commissioner Chris Avent who has been in the role since September 2019, following the retirement of former Electoral Commissioner David Kerslake.

    Mr Kennedy will take up his new role on March 16, 2020.

    As stated by Electoral Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson:

    “I am looking forward to Robert taking on this new role, which comes after a long and successful career with the WA Government.

    “Mr Kennedy will no doubt bring a wealth of experience and insights to the role of Electoral Commissioner.

    “I thank Chris Avent for acting in the role over the past few months.”

    Minister’s office – 6552 5800

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