The Western Australian Government has announced the forthcoming State election will be held on March 9 after Premier Colin Barnett requested the Governor issue the necessary writs.

“This will be the first time in the State’s history that there has been a fixed election date.” Mr Barnett said.

“This morning I will visit the Governor to advise him to issue the writs directing the Electoral Commissioner to proceed with elections in all 59 Legislative Assembly districts and six Legislative Council regions.

“I will also direct the director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to formally implement the Caretaker Conventions across the public sector to coincide with the issuing of the writs today.”

The announcement now means that all future Western Australian State elections will be held on the second Saturday in March every four years.