What types of complaints can you make?
The WAEC can investigate complaints about:
The organisation or operation of a WA state election
- Inadequate resources at polling places.
- Long lines and wait times to cast a vote.
- The locations of polling places.
Local government elections conducted by WAEC
- Enrolment issues such as incorrect enrolment details or failures to update the roll.
- Attempts to coerce, threaten, or bribe voters.
- Misleading or deceptive election material.
- Campaigning too close to a polling place.
- Candidates providing false information.
WAEC staff conduct
- Receiving inaccurate or incomplete information.
Breaches of electoral law
- The distribution of unregistered how-to-vote cards.
- Candidates accepting illegal or undisclosed donations.
- Candidates not following the correct procedure in preparing campaign materials.
The WAEC cannot investigate complaints about:
- Conduct considered to be a criminal offence.
- Complaints related to federal elections.
- Complaints related to elections that took place outside of Western Australia.
Jurisdiction: The WAEC can consider complaints under the laws of Western Australia including the Electoral Act (1907) and the Local Government Act.
Time limits: While there is no specified time limit for making a complaint, the WAEC recommends complaints are submitted within 28 days following the incident.
Scope: If you have a complaint about your local government election, it is important to find out whether the WAEC has organised it as it is only able to hear these complaints if it is conducting the election.
Discretion: The WAEC may stop responding if your conduct is unreasonable including making excessive demands, rejecting a final decision or threatening behaviour.
Who can you make a complaint against?
You can make a complaint against:
- WAEC products or services regarding issues with the electoral roll; parliamentary elections; some local government elections; and electoral education and awareness programs.
Are you eligible to make a complaint?
Anyone can make a complaint to the WAEC, including on someone else's behalf.
What can this body do to help?
The WAEC has been given the power to conduct key actions in Western Australia's electoral process actions. They can resolve an issue using these powers and actions. These include:
- Maintaining the electoral roll.
- Administering state and local elections.
- Providing electoral education and awareness programs.
- Conducting research and publishing material on the election process.
How to prepare your complaint:
Complaints must be made in writing and should include as much clear information as possible. You have 6000 characters to make your complaint.
Personal details: Include your name, address, phone number and email address. Anonymous complaints are accepted but may limit the WAEC's ability to obtain further information if it needs to investigate the issue.
What happened: Give details such as:
- Time and date of incident.
- Description of what happened.
- Details about the person or organisation you are complaining about.
- Any steps you have already taken to try to resolve the issue and outcome.
Evidence: Where possible include supporting evidence.
What NOT to include: False or misleading statements.
Lodging your complaint and next steps:
Complaints must be made using the online feedback submission form.
- Phone: 08 9214 0400 – Staff will assist you with your complaint
What happens next: You should receive an acknowledgement of your complaint within three business days. The WAEC aims to resolve most complaints within seven business days.
Other things to know: The WAEC also receives public interest disclosures. Please see the WAEC website for information on making a public interest disclosure. Public Interest Disclosures | Western Australian Electoral Commission
More information:
Refer to the factsheet provided below for more information.
What types of complaints can you make?
The NSW Ombudsman can act on complaints about the conduct of NSW public authorities and community service providers, including conduct that occurs in other states.
Some common complaints include:
- A Public Authority hasn’t been fair and reasonable with you
- You haven't been provided with sufficient information to understand a decision
- A public authority hasn't replied to you without a good reason
- The policies and procedures of a public authority were not fair and reasonable, or they weren't followed without a good reason
- A public authority hasn't performed their work promptly and without unnecessary delay
- Your complaint wasn't handled according to the authority’s complaint handling policies and procedures
The NSW Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints about:
- the conduct of NSW government ministers, courts, police, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, ICAC, or the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner;
- local councils if there's a right of appeal or review;
- the Judicial Commission;
- decisions on accessing government information.
If the NSW Ombudsman does not have the jurisdiction to, or decides not to investigate your complaint, you will be told the reasons for that decision.
Example
Joan was issued with a speeding fine. The speed camera showed a car with Victorian license plates but Joan’s car is registered in NSW. She explained this when she applied for a, internal review of the fine but was told it didn’t matter, she still had to pay.
Who can you make a complaint against?
Before you contact the Ombudsman, try to resolve your complaint directly with the authority or service provider. If you haven't done this, the Ombudsman might not take action. However, if your complaint is urgent or involves safety or well-being risks, you can go directly to the Ombudsman.
You can make a complaint for someone else, but without their consent, the Ombudsman may not give you detailed information due to privacy laws. The Ombudsman's services are free, and you don't need a lawyer, but you can get legal advice at any time.
You can also lodge complaints anonymously, but this may limit the Ombudsman’s ability to respond or investigate.
Are you eligible to make a complaint?
Before you contact the Ombudsman, try to resolve your complaint directly with the authority or service provider. If you haven't done this, the Ombudsman might not take action. However, if your complaint is urgent or involves safety or well-being risks, you can go directly to the Ombudsman.
You can make a complaint for someone else, but without their consent, the Ombudsman may not give you detailed information due to privacy laws. The Ombudsman's services are free, and you don't need a lawyer, but you can get legal advice at any time.
You can also lodge complaints anonymously, but this may limit the Ombudsman’s ability to respond or investigate.
What outcomes are available?
- Warm/Direct Referral: The Ombudsman can guide you to the right place if they cannot help directly.
- Resolution: They can work with you and the other party to resolve the issue
- Comments: The Ombudsman can provide feedback and suggestions to improve services.
- Mediation or conciliation: They can facilitate a discussion between both sides to help reach a mutual agreement.
- Investigation, Reports, and Recommendations: The Ombudsman can investigate your complaint, write a report on their findings, and recommend actions to fix the problem.
What should your complaint include?
You can make a complaint to the NSW Ombudsman either in writing or verbally.
Free interpreter or translator services are available.
If you provide personal information, include:
- First and last name
- Age
- Contact number
- Email and postal address
When describing your complaint, include:
- The name of the public authority or community service provider.
- Details about what the complaint is about, including what happened and when.
- The outcome after you complained to the authority or provider.
- What resolution you seek.
Provide as much detail and supporting documents as possible. Do not make false or misleading statements, as this may be an offence.
Lodging your complaint and next steps
You can lodge a complaint with the NSW Ombudsman:
- Online via the form: Make a complaint online - NSW Ombudsman
- Email: info@ombo.nsw.gov.au
- Post: Level 24/580 George Street, Sydney 2000
- Telephone: 1800 451 524, Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm
- In person: Level 24/580 George Street, Sydney 2000, Monday to Friday between 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm.
What to Expect After Lodging Your Complaint:
- Written Complaints: You will receive an acknowledgment with a case reference number within 10 working days.
- Phone or In-Person Complaints: You will receive immediate acknowledgment.
Possible Outcomes:
- If no action is needed, you will be informed with the reasons.
- If action is taken, the Ombudsman officer will contact the relevant authority and keep you informed of the outcome.
Most complaints are resolved within 30 days, but complex cases may take longer.
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