Colin Barnett’s eight-and-a-half-year reign as WA Premier is over, after his Liberal-National Government was swept out of office by a huge swing towards Mark McGowan’s Labor Party.
Key points:
- Labor expected to win as many as 41 seats, having already secured more than the 30 required to form government
- Mark McGowan will be sworn in as WA’s 30th premier within days
- Three Liberal ministers, including John Day, have lost their seats
Mr McGowan will be sworn in as the state’s 30th premier within days, after Labor won a clear majority in parliament and the Liberals suffered disastrous losses above even its most dire fears going into the election.
The ABC called the result less than 90 minutes after polls closed, with early counting showing dramatic swings to Labor.
ABC election analyst Antony Green said he expected Labor to win as many as 41 seats, having needed just 30 to defeat the Barnett Government.
Three Liberal ministers, including Health Minister John Day, have lost their seats while Corrective Services Minister and possible leadership aspirant Joe Francis is also in severe trouble.
The National Party’s vote only fell slightly, but leader Brendon Grylls’s seat is still uncertain.
In celebratory remarks made to a raucous gathering of Labor supporters in Rockingham, Mr McGowan thanked Mr Barnett for his “many years of public service to West Australians”.
Mr McGowan pledged to get to work immediately, as he reaffirmed his commitment not to privatise Western Power.
“Today West Australians voted for hope and opportunity over desperation and division,” the Premier-elect said.
“Today we showed we are a state of decency and intelligence, not a state of stupidity and ignorance.
“The core Australian values of equality, fairness, merit and opportunity shone through in this election campaign.”
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