Colin Barnett’s Liberals are heading into Saturday’s state election as the underdogs with both public opinion polling and the bookmakers showing Labor’s Mark McGowan the favourite to win.
But in politics nothing is certain and many voters will still be making up their minds.
And to find himself in the Premier’s office, Mr McGowan requires a statewide swing against the government big enough to overcome the preference deal struck between the Liberals and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
University of Notre Dame political analyst Martin Drum said so many voters were turning away from the two major parties the outcome was unpredictable.
“Everyone talks about a 10 per cent swing for Labor to win government,” he said.
“There’s no way Labor will get a 10 per cent swing on their primary from last time. No way. However, they could still win the election. Why? Because the Liberal primary is slumping and there’s clearly a lot more people voting elsewhere.
“Labor’s has probably climbed a bit, as much as four or five per cent and that might be enough for them to win the election.
“But, because they rely on preferences we can't be 100 per cent sure, so when we try read the tea leaves, it’s pretty tough.”
In the Peel region, the major parties have been promising big.
Dr Martin Drum on the 2017 WA state election:
Both the Labor and Liberal parties have pledged $4.9 million to build a Peel youth health hub, which means it will become a reality with the federal government’s $2 million contribution.
Responding to the region’s youth mental health crisis, both parties have made commitments to fund suicide prevention programs.
The Liberal party have promised a $1 million youth mental health service to run out of Peel Health Campus. Called Hospital in the Home, the trial would provide clinical care to 130 young patients instead of hospital admission.
Labor pledged $400,000 towards the Three Tier Youth Mental Health program, run by the Peel Youth Medical Service and GP down south.
Labor’s Mandurah candidate David Templeman has committed Labor to a $20 million multi-level car park at Mandurah’s train station and $10 million to complete the redevelopment of the Eastern Foreshore.
Liberal Dawesville candidate Zak Kirkup has pledged a $5 million upgrade of Mandurah Police Station, to allow an increase in officers from 120 to 220, and a $200,000 commitment to build a protective shark barrier at Falcon Bay.
For full coverage on the day go to mandurahmail.com.au.