Key facts
- One Nation has claimed victory in the Secret Harbour state byelection in Western Australia.
- Luke Herdegen of One Nation leads Labor's Georgia Tree 57-42 after preferences with 74.5% of votes counted.
- The byelection was triggered by the mid-term retirement of senior minister Paul Papalia.
- Voter concerns included cost-of-living pressures and housing issues linked to immigration.
- One Nation's WA leader Rod Caddies stated the result sends 'shock waves across the entire country'.
One Nation has claimed victory in the Secret Harbour state byelection in Western Australia, a result that could send shockwaves across the country. With 74.5% of the vote counted, One Nation's Luke Herdegen held a 57-42 lead over Labor's Georgia Tree after preferences.
One Nation's WA leader Rod Caddies declared victory, asserting that there are "no safe Labor seats in this state or in this country anymore." The contest was triggered by the mid-term retirement of senior minister Paul Papalia in the traditionally safe Labor seat.
Herdegen attributed his campaign's strong performance to a desire for change, citing voter concerns over the cost of living and housing issues exacerbated by immigration. Voters on the ground expressed a desire for change, with some stating they trusted One Nation more than the major parties.
WA Premier Roger Cook acknowledged the difficulty in holding the outer-suburban electorate, noting that by-elections can amplify various issues. Key concerns for voters included cost-of-living pressures, housing availability, and a perceived lack of community amenities.
Founded in 1997, One Nation has long occupied the political fringe, but its hard line on immigration has drawn more support amid public frustration over housing shortages, high living costs, and a general decline in support for Australia's major parties. The result underscores the challenge One Nation poses to Australia's main centre-left and centre-right parties as it converts rising poll numbers into seats, raising the stakes ahead of an election in Victoria state later this year.