Australian Politics and Policy - Senior, 2019a

Western Australia
1922 Independent electoral distribution commissioners to determine electoral
boundaries. Decisions ratified by parliament.
1936 Compulsory voting introduced for LA.
1939 First parliamentary election with compulsory voting.
1947 New distribution legislation – three commissioners, country ‘vote-weighting’
and no ratification of decisions by parliament.
1954 Ruby Hutchison elected as first woman in LC.
1962 Voluntary enrolment and voting for Indigenous people. LC franchise
extended to include spouses, but property qualification remained. Women
gained the vote in the LC.
1963–64 Adult franchise introduced for the LC with removal of the property
qualification. Voting entitlements for both houses became identical.
Enrolment and voting for the LC made compulsory.
1970 Voting age reduced to 18 years.
1975 Restrictions on clergymen standing for election were abolished.
1978 Reduction in number of members of either house now only by referendum.
1980 First Indigenous MP – Ernie Bridge – elected, later became first Indigenous
minister.
1983 Joint enrolment procedure introduced for Commonwealth/state enrolment.
Enrolment and voting became compulsory for Indigenous people. Australian
citizenship became a requirement to enrol.
1987 WA Electoral Commission established. Four-year term for MPs. Multimember
regions introduced in LC to replace provinces. LC voting changed
to PR-STV.
2000 Funding and disclosure law introduced. Party registration law introduced.
2005 One vote, one value. Distributions in Electoral Act.
2006 Nomination qualifications – citizenship. Overseas voting expanded.
Authorisation of online advertising.
2009 Itinerant voting introduced.
2011 Fixed election dates.
2016 Federal direct enrolment and update introduced. Internet voting for a limited
cohort of electors. Early voting – removal of reasons.
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