TRANSCRIPT
"Today, Western Australia has voted for a future, a future which is made in W-A. "
In an historic win, the Western Australian Labor Party has secured a third term in state government, claiming victory at the polls.
The result marks the first time since the 1980's that any party in W-A has won three consecutive state elections.
It is also the first election victory for W-A Premier Roger Cook, who replaced former leader Mark McGowan 18 months ago.
"Friends, for eight years, our WA Labor team has delivered sensible, stable government focused on strong financial management. We relentlessly pursue the creation of jobs and the delivery of infrastructure and services that people need and at times of global uncertainty, the WA community has put its trust in our WA Labor team for the next four years. "
According to ABC News, Labor is on track to win 41 seats, the Liberals five and the Nationals four.
Following the unprecedented victory of 2021, which saw WA Labor win 53 of 59 seats in the lower house, the party were in a strong position heading into the votes.
Pre-election polls, however, were predicting a 12 to 13 per cent swing, putting up to eleven seats within reach for the Liberal Party.
But with an 11 per cent swing late on Saturday night, the Liberal Party failed to get back its previous strongholds.
WA Liberal Party leader, Libby Mettam, says the defeat means her party must work harder.
"We know democracies aren't perfect, but we know that as a Western Australian and as an Australian as well, it is a system that we must all respect, and the people of Western Australia have cast their vote and the result is certainly very clear. But what we have also seen across this state, and in particular, since 2021 is much work that has been undertaken by the Liberal Party. "
Among the top voter concerns ahead of this election were the cost of living, housing, health and climate action, with big swings also recorded toward the Greens and independents.
Despite their overwhelming victory, the 17 per cent swing away from Labor was largely split between independents and minor parties.
The WA Greens Party leader Brad Pettitt says the party received its highest ever vote, adding that changing sentiment towards climate change is likely a factor in the result.
Speaking to SBS News from a polling centre in WA, this voter said the environment is a big consideration when voting.
"You know, the environment, how we treat animals you know that sort of thing so it's not just about the key infrastructures, I mean there's certainly important, but they're not the only thing. "
Winning five seats to the Nationals four, the election sees the Liberal Party return as the official state opposition.
Among the notable Liberal Party gains was the seat of Churchlands, where former Perth Lord Mayor and media personality Basil Zempilas defeated Labor's Christine Tonkin.
With poor results for the Liberal Party, speculation is mounting over the future of party leadership, with some viewing Mr Zempilas as Ms Mettam's successor.
In the meantime, Ms Mettam says there is a lot of work to be done to get the party ready for the next election.
"We've certainly been under resourced in in terms of size and this is another step forward to building our resources going forward, but it is fair to say it's not the result that we hoped for. But we will continue to work for the people of Western Australia. We will continue to advocate on behalf of the people of Western Australia, and we will continue to hold the Cook Labor government to account."
For Labor, Premier Roger Cook says his team are ready to get back to work.
"WA Labor understands that having the strongest economy in the country means more people want to live here. Not only do we have the strongest economy in the country, we have the fastest growing population, and this creates pressures in areas like housing and health. We have heard the concerns of Western Australians and our new government will never stop working towards ensuring every Western Australian has a decent home and that we live in the healthiest state in the Country."
