Despite a Liberal preference deal with One Nation, the Labor Party has managed to win more than the 10 seats needed to form government in Western Australia.
Premier Collin Barnett’s defeat will be clear warning signs to Prime Minister Turnbull as the Liberal Party nationally progresses in its relationship with populist parties such as One Nation.
With counting underway, Labor is on track to win at least 33 seats in the 59 seat Western Australian Parliament.
Labor leader Mark McGowan is expected to become the new Premier.
Many voters have express frustration at the Barnett Liberal government for failing to do enough to fix the state’s economy, reduce debt and tackle rising unemployment.
Questions are also being raised over the effectiveness of the One Nation preference deal with support for the populist party weaker than anticipated.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was absent from Western Australia for most of the election campaign in contrast to active campaigning from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
Federal Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten was in Western Australia today as part of the McGowan campaign.
Roydon Ng is a freelance journalist, blogger and web designer based from Sydney, Australia.