Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. TOTOTO Both WA Labor and the Liberals see the upcoming by-election in the southern suburban electorate of Secret Harbor as “tough to win” following the sudden resignation of local member Paul Papalia. Premier Roger Cook announced
Both WA Labor and the Liberals see the upcoming by-election in the southern suburban electorate of Secret Harbor as “tough to win” following the sudden resignation of local member Paul Papalia.
Premier Roger Cook announced that the speaker of the legislative assembly will contact the electoral commissioner about possible dates for an election in a seat Labor won comfortably at the last state election in 2025.
The seat was created in 2023 following a redistribution of electoral boundaries and replaced the former seat of Warnbro, which itself was not created until 2008 to replace the former electorate of Peel.
Technically, the Labor Party is the only party to occupy both Warnbro and Secret Harbour, with Papalia being the only local member elected to that position, but the area has long been considered a stronghold for the current government.
However, Cook believes it will be difficult to retain the seat in a by-election.
“Let’s be very clear. This is going to be difficult for the Labor Party,” he said.
“This is going to be really difficult. We are saying goodbye to one of the oldest, most trusted and popular local members at a time when a lot of people are having a hard time, struggling with the cost of living.”
WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas said while no decision had been made on a potential party candidate, he expected the party to challenge the seat.
“I think there has been sustained speculation that there might have been a by-election on the eve, and in this area in particular,” he said.
“I know that a number of residents of that area have worked hard to ensure that, if this opportunity arose, they would be in a position to nominate for preselection, but there is no more that can be done than that.
“The process that exists with the Liberal Party is always a democratic process. You have to nominate. No one is guaranteed a step, and that applies here too.”
Cook also acknowledged the growing rise of One Nation and foreshadowed the party would be a fierce competitor in Secret Harbour.
“When you vote for One Nation, you are bringing the chaos of the eastern states to Western Australia,” he said.
“I understand that people have legitimate concerns about where they stand right now, whether it’s cost of living or employment, but One Nation is simply trying to use those legitimate concerns and create division, division by blaming minorities.
“It’s not a solution for WA. We know what we want in Western Australia. We want jobs, we want cost of living measures, we want health, we want investment in housing, and only WA Labor can deliver.”
WA One Nation leader Rod Caddies previously revealed the seat was in his party’s sights.
“But we all know his attacks on One Nation are self-serving,” Caddies said of the prime minister, following a whirlwind visit by party leader Pauline Hanson last month.
“He knows we’re the favorites in Kwinana, he knows we’re the favorites in Secret Harbour, and he knows we’re the biggest threat to his majority.”
Zempilas also acknowledged the threat from One Nation as his party chased victory in Secret Harbour, but added that most of the pressure fell on the prime minister.
“We expect One Nation to play a big role in these by-elections, and that doesn’t change anything for us,” Zempilas said.
“We hope to do our part, but we know One Nation will be a factor.
“We know who is most afraid of what is happening in Western Australia right now – and that is the WA Labor government.”
WA Nationals leader Shane Love said his party had yet to make a formal decision on whether to contest the seat, despite previously stating a move to target more metropolitan seats.
“The decision on which seats in the WA National contest ultimately rests with our state council,” he said.
“What I will say is that Western Australians want politicians who tell it like it is and put common sense first. That’s exactly what the WA Nationals have been doing for more than 110 years.”
The Greens had also not ruled out a run for the seat, but were more concerned about who would replace Papalia as correctional services minister.
Greens leader Brad Pettit said the portfolio desperately needed an update.
“Hopefully the cabinet reshuffle following Minister Papalia’s resignation can provide that much-needed change,” he said.
“The mismanagement of Western Australia’s prison estate under Minister Papalia’s government over the past few years has gone from crisis to crisis.
“This mismanagement has led to worse outcomes for both children and adults entering the justice system, higher recidivism rates and has made the prison environment, both for staff and other inmates, and the community less safe.
“We need someone focused on reinvestment, rehabilitation and diversion to take on the challenge of reforming our justice system, not the focus on increasing police powers that we have seen under the current minister.”
From our partners
Keep following us for the latest insights.
