One Nation has claimed victory in the Secret Harbour state byelection in Western Australia, with candidate Luke Herdegen securing 57% of the vote after preferences. With 74.5% of the vote counted, Herdegen leads Labor's Georgia Tree 57-42, a result that the party's WA leader says will send shock waves across the country.
Victory declared in safe Labor seat
One Nation's WA leader Rod Caddies claimed victory at 9:30pm local time, stating the result showed there were "no safe Labor seats in this state or in this country anymore" and that it would send "shock waves across the entire country". Voters in the safe Labor seat cast their ballots on Saturday after senior minister Paul Papalia's mid-term retirement triggered the contest.
Herdegen, buoyed by a sea of orange across polling booths in the beachside electorate south of Perth, said the campaign had strong momentum. "The vibe has been really strong for the last six weeks," he said.
Premier concedes tough battle
WA Premier Roger Cook did not throw in the towel but conceded it would be a battle to hold the outer-suburban mortgage-belt electorate. "It would break my heart," he said when asked about defeat. "By-elections bring up all kinds of opportunities for a whole range of issues to impact on the seat."
On the ground in Secret Harbour, Labor was on the nose, with cost-of-living pressures, housing and a perceived lack of community amenities topping lists of voter concerns.
Voters divided on One Nation
Local Luke Pors voted for One Nation and believes it will do a better job than either Labor or Liberal. "We know what their true goal is and I think just in One Nation we trust," he said. The Qantas flight attendant was also impressed by Herdegen's campaign. "He's like a home buddy and as obviously a youngie; we can really connect with him," he said.
Retirees Ann and Les Scard also voted One Nation. "It has been a pretty strong campaign by Luke Herdegen," Les Scard said. "He deserves a chance. I get the impression Liberal and Labor are desperate; they're doing everything to try and discredit them and I don't think they're being successful."
Ann Scard is not concerned by One Nation's controversial immigration policy. "I agree with a lot of what Pauline Hanson says," she said. "Something has to be done, it's just all askew."
Cost-of-living and immigration drive vote
Herdegen said people were desperate for change. "They're struggling with cost of living; there's a major housing issue here with the mass immigration coming through and people have just had enough," he said.
Retired truck driver Dean Maxwell is not so sure. He voted Labor. "I didn't vote for One Nation, I put them last," he said. "I just don't see any good policy. I don't like any of the pollies but I particularly don't like Pauline Hanson. I think she's in Gina Rinehart's pocket."
One Nation's performance in the tradie-haven will be of interest across the nation, particularly Victoria, which has a state election in November.
