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WA Liberal and National Parties Join Forces to Form New Opposition
The Western Australia Liberal and National parties have entered into a formal alliance as the new opposition to WA’s recently elected Labor party.
In a crushing defeat during the WA elections, the Liberals garnered only two seats less than the National party’s four making it the first time in WA election history that the Nationals surpassed the Liberals’ voting preference.
In contrast, Labor under Mark McGowan secured a dominating presence in the legislative assembly with an unprecedented victory of 53 out of 59 seats.
Nationals Leader Mia Davies and recently elected Liberal Leader David Honey signed the agreement on April 19, with Davies acting as leader of the opposition and Honey serving in the state development and energy portfolios.
WA Labor’s Landslide Win Tells of More Than Just Lacklustre Liberal Leadership
Analysis
Labor’s stunning victory in Western Australia more than any other in the state’s history was driven by a tandem of a weak, inexperienced Liberal Party and dangerously deified Labor leadership, independent candidates say.
At close to 60 percent of votes counted for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, or lower house, the Labor party under Mark McGowan looks set to secure a crushing 50 out of 59 seats in contrast with the Liberals, who under Zak Kirkup, secured a meagre two seats.
This is also the first time in the state’s history that the National party’s seats have surpassed that of the Liberal party, garnering four seats in total.
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Premier Mark McGowan is set to enjoy unprecedented dominance in Western Australia, after winning an increased majority for the Labor party in the state s parliament.
Labor is expected to claim up to 53 out of 59 lower house seats on the back of a stunning 16.9 per cent swing.
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It is a nightmare scenario for the Liberals, who are set to be reduced to just two or three seats and lose their opposition status to the Nationals.
With 43 per cent of lower house votes counted, Labor has almost three times the number of first-preference votes of the Liberal party.