One Nation Claims Victory in Secret Harbour, But Labor Yet to Concede

The 2023 byelection in Secret Harbour, Western Australia, has left many pundits and politicians stunned. One Nation’s Luke Herdegen claims victory over Labor’s Georgia Tree, a result that would mark the party’s first lower-house seat in WA.

For years, Western Australia has been seen as a Labor stronghold, with the party holding sway over many outer suburban seats. Tonight’s result is more than just a protest vote or a swing against an incumbent government; it represents a fundamental shift in the state’s politics. This outcome signals a deep-seated discontent among voters who are increasingly frustrated by high interest rates, fuel prices, and cost of living issues.

The 27.4% swing in Secret Harbour is remarkable, especially considering it was triggered by the resignation of former Corrective Services minister Paul Papalia. Papalia won the seat with an 11.5% margin in 2021, but tonight’s result shows that Labor’s grip on this electorate has been loosening for some time.

This byelection outcome is not just about One Nation’s popularity; it’s also about voter fatigue with the status quo. As WA Premier Roger Cook noted, this campaign has highlighted the struggles of Western Australians who are doing it tough. The lack of action from Canberra on these issues has taken its toll on voters.

The fact that no major party candidate lived in the electorate adds to the sense of disconnection between politicians and voters. This stark reminder highlights the distance between those who make policy decisions and those who are impacted by them.

One Nation’s historic result will have far-reaching consequences for Australian politics, particularly in outer suburban seats nationwide. Secret Harbour sits firmly in the mortgage belt of Perth’s south, where cost of living issues are manifesting as voter discontent with the Albanese government. This byelection is being seen as a litmus test for all such seats.

For Labor, this result represents a wake-up call to reassess its approach to voters in these areas. As Tania Lawrence, Hasluck Labor MP, noted, the party must take into account the results of this election and understand what voters are saying about different issues. The message from Secret Harbour is clear: voters want action on cost of living, jobs, health, housing, and cost of living relief.

The outcome of this byelection will be closely watched by politicians and pundits alike, but its significance extends far beyond the electoral boundaries of Secret Harbour. As Western Australia awakens to a new era of politics, it’s clear that Labor has some serious soul-searching to do.