WA polls set to open as WA Labor closes in on third term

“We are staying humble.”

Cost of living and housing are the main issues for WA voters.

Health, education, regional services, state infrastructure and crime have also been targeted by the parties during the campaign.

Liberal leader Libby Mettam said Labor had taken voters for granted after eight years in government, and it was time for a change.

“If Labor are re-elected tomorrow, nothing will change,” she told reporters at a polling station in Perth’s northern suburbs on Friday.

Mettam said the health system was broken, housing was unaffordable and cost-of-living pressures and crime were out of control, as she batted away questions about her predicted loss.

Loading

“We appreciate it’s a David and Goliath battle, but we’re listening to the people of Western Australia,” she said.

To win, the Liberal and National parties would need to undo not just their 2021 loss but also Labor’s commanding 2017 victory.

Even if the conservatives won every seat lost in 2021, Labor would still be in office with its healthy majority from 2017, when it secured 41 lower house seats. The Liberals won 13 and the Nationals five.

More than 450,000 of Western Australia’s 1.86 million electors had cast their pre-poll ballots as of Thursday, according to the state electoral commission.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.