Prime Minister Scott Morrison has effectively begun his election campaign in Western Australia amid concerns some key Liberal seats might be lost to Labor.
A poll reported in The West Australian newspaper on Wednesday revealed the Coalition could lose four seats at the federal election — Swan, Hasluck, Pearce and Tangney.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is actively pursuing marginal seats in WA and visited the state on the day the hard border came down.
This week it was the Prime Minister’s turn and he spent a lot of time emphasising his strong working relationship with wildly popular Labor Premier Mark McGowan, while equally making the point that Mr Albanese was completely different to the state leader.
Asked about Ben Morton’s seat of Tangney on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said he had “great confidence” in the former Liberal WA state secretary.
“Ben has done outstanding work in his seat and he’s best placed to go out there and advocate that … I have absolutely no doubt that he will be supported because of the work that he has done and what he’s been able to deliver,” Mr Morrison said.
“We’ve been delivering for Western Australia from GST, to hospitals, to pandemic support, to backing in the important industries that create the jobs here in Western Australia.”
After it was suggested it would be difficult to retain government if the Coalition lost those four seats, Mr Morrison said it only highlighted the importance of choice in Australia.
“Western Australians know that it was our government that delivered the fairer GST deal, it’s our government that has supported the resources industry,” he said.
“State Labor (is) completely different to Albanese Labor at a federal level — it’s not the same thing.
“At the next election, whoever you vote for, Mark McGowan will be the Premier the next day and if we’re returned at the next election, I will continue to work closely with the Western Australian Premier.”
Election analyst William Bowe told NCA NewsWire the latest poll did not “amaze” him and he believed the Liberals would gain some points leading up to the election.
Mr Bowe said both major parties were in some form of election mode since the end of the New Year period but it was ramping up now.
“Maybe this cranks the engine up a bit further,” he said.
With both leaders visiting WA recently, Mr Bowe described it as a “milestone event” in the overall campaign.
While Mr Bxjmtzywowe believed Tangney was likely to remain in the hands of the Liberals, he said Swan was definitely up for grabs.
“I will be amazed if the Liberals can hold onto Swan,” he said.
Swan is currently held by Steve Irons, who is retiring.
As for Pearce, which is held by Christian Porter who is resigning, and Hasluck which is held by cabinet minister Ken Wyatt, Mr Bowe said “they will be fighting” for those seats.
“The Liberals will lose seats in WA, so they need to gain them in NSW to make up for those losses,” he said.
SEAT BREAKDOWN:
Tangney — Liberals hold by a margin of 9.5 per cent;
Swan — Liberals hold by a margin of 3.2 per cent;
Hasluck — Liberals hold by a margin of 5.9 per cent; and
Pearce — Liberals hold by a margin of 5.2 per cent.
