The WA election delivered another landslide for Labor, securing a third consecutive term with 45 seats, while the Liberals managed just eight. Eight! Despite a 10 per cent swing against Labor, gains went mostly to Greens, independents, and One Nation, reflecting broader discontent with the Liberal Party rather than an enthusiasm for their return.
With the federal election approaching, the WA result has national implications: the Liberal Party’s unpreparedness for government remains a key issue, potentially affecting federal seats in WA and beyond. The election of Basil Zempilas to Parliament signals continuity rather than renewal, as he aligns with the party’s old guard. With only two women among eight Liberal MPs, gender representation also remains a problem. Climate 200-backed Kate Hulett’s massive swing in Fremantle highlights increasing voter demand for climate action. Although she didn’t win, her performance raises questions about Climate 200’s strategy of mainly targeting Liberal seats, especially given Labor’s approvals of new fossil fuel projects.
Disaster management politics came into focus with Cyclone Alfred in Queensland. While downgraded to a tropical low, it caused heavy flooding, and right-wing commentators dismissed emergency preparations as “woke”, while Peter Dutton controversially left his flood-hit electorate to attend a $25,000-per-ticket fundraiser at a $100 million Sydney mansion. His justification, blaming unions and donations laws, failed to shift scrutiny from his actions. He’s unravelling, and it’s happening quickly.
Election speculation continues, with claims Cyclone Alfred disrupted Anthony Albanese’s election timing, despite the Prime Minister consistently indicating a May election. Meanwhile, Dutton’s controversies – including questionable share trading, an extensive property portfolio, and disaster response missteps – have reinforced public distrust.
Another major issue was the exposure of a fabricated terrorist plot in Sydney. Initially framed as a major national security threat, it was later revealed as a hoax. Despite knowing this, Dutton continued using it for political gain, raising concerns about fear-mongering. NSW’s rushed anti-Semitism laws, passed in response, have drawn criticism for disproportionately benefiting pro-Israel groups while neglecting rising Islamophobia, with reports showing anti-Muslim incidents have doubled since 2023, yet Palestinian and Islamic communities have received little political or financial support.
Polling shows Labor gaining a slight lead over the Coalition, with Morgan and YouGov placing them at around 51 per cent on a two-party basis, while Newspoll still favours the Coalition. Despite media efforts to rehabilitate Dutton’s image, his disapproval ratings continue to rise – his handling of disasters, fabricated terror threats, and political opportunism suggest he is failing to gain voter trust.
As the federal election nears, WA’s results may foreshadow broader national trends. While dissatisfaction with federal Labor exists, voters appear unconvinced that the Liberals, under Dutton, are ready for government. Both major parties must now offer a vision beyond scandal and fear-mongering to win public support.
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