The Labor Party has cemented an expected victory in WA's state election with more seats than anticipated, yet down from its landslide victory in 2021.
Ther Roger Cook-led Labor is set to win 41 seats so far, with Liberal five and Nationals four. Nine out of the 59 seats are still in doubt at time of writing.
Crucially for the Liberals, it's gained back its seats of Carine, Churchlands and Nedlands - which had swung to Mark McGowan on the back of his leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's also currently ahead in Albany, Kalamunda and Murray-Wellington.
Retreat from major parties
Yet in regional WA, Labor lost ground to the Nationals. The Australia-wide country-focused party retained its three lower seats, and have gained a fourth seat, Geraldton, which had been an electorate that had historically swung between Labor and Liberal since 1947.
The blowback is seen to be pushed by Labor's struggle with cultural heritage - such as the Juukan Gorge debarble - as well as gun laws, youth crime and commodities such as timber and live exports.
"Regional WA has turned its back on Labor, because Labor has turned its back on regional WA," Nationals Leader Shane Love said.
"That message will gradually resonate throughout the whole state."
It also led to the Liberal Party being outvoted in country WA.
WA was the last of the State and Territories to cast their ballots in the current election round and that now paves the way for the Anthony Albanese to call the Federal Election, with Australians due to go to the polls in May.
