Western Australia

Abstract

This article examines the key issues that dominated the campaign agenda in WA at the federal polls in 2007, as well as the outcome of the election in that state. It shows that the swing recorded against the Liberal party in WA was more muted than elsewhere in the federation. It suggests that the failure of the state ALP to rein in the behaviour of some of its high profile members, combined with a strong local economy, served to reduce the resistance of WA voters to vote against those policies of the Howard government that electors in other parts of Australia strongly disapproved.

Keywords:

• Western Australia
• federal election
• ALP
• Liberal party
• Australian Greens

Notes

 1. David Weber, ‘WA Independent Upsetting Safe Liberal Seat’, ABC World Today Program, 9 October 2007, http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2007/s2054611.htm, accessed 9 January 2008.

 2. Shane Wright, ‘Rudd vote gaining ground’, West Australian, 9 July 2007, p 4.

 3. Brad Norington, ‘Rebel union argues the case for AWAs’, Australian, 20 October 2007, p 11.

 4. Robert Taylor and Chris Johnson, ‘I won't go quietly: defiant McDonald’, West Australian, 27 October 2007, p 7.

 5. ibid.

 6. ibid.

 7. Daniel Emerson, ‘Labor splits as union vows to save McDonald’, West Australian, 29 October 2007, p 1.

 8. Gary Adshead, ‘Dirty sheets a strategic pay tool: UnionsWA’, West Australian, 20 November 2007, p 13.

 9. Robert Taylor, ‘Secret MPs probe find 10 guilty of contempt’, West Australian, 14 November, p 1.

10. Wright, ‘Rudd vote gaining ground’.

11. Andrew Probyn, ‘PM's surge will not save seats’, West Australian, 17 November 2007, p 9.