Labor leader Mark McGowan looks set to become the state’s 30th Premier as political analysts declare he’ll win enough seats to end the Barnett Liberal government’s eight and a half year rein.
Polls had predicted a swing against the government and a win for the Labor party but early results have seen a swag of seats quickly falling to Labor, including some the Liberals were counting on winning if they hoped to stay in government.
Among the casualties on the government side was one term member Eleni Evangel, who looks likely to lose the seat of Perth to former Vincent Mayor John Carey.
Outspoken conservative MP Peter Abetz conceded he’d lost his seat of Southern River and predicted the government would fall. His seat which would normally be considered safe given it’s 10% margin, but a massive swing of more than 20% in the seat saw the former pastor’s parliamentary career come to an end.
In the seat of Belmont another one term MP Glenys Godfrey has lost her spot to Labor’s Cassie Rowe. The seat was previously held by former Opposition Leader Eric Ripper.
Member for Eyre, Graham Jacobs is another MP who’s future is looking uncertain as the vote counting continues, while government Minister Joe Francis is watching the numbers rolling in and wondering if he’s survive the night.
OIP Staff
