Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, who leads the State’s Labor government, is seeking legal advice to potentially reschedule the state election currently set for March 8. The aim is to avoid a clash with a federal election if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese decides to call for an early poll.
Cook is concerned about the impact of declining support for Albanese and the federal Labor government on his own electoral prospects. Recent polls show a decrease in approval ratings for the Prime Minister, with Coalition Leader Peter Dutton gaining ground.
The possibility of a minority Labor government is looming, with the Coalition holding a narrow lead in two-party-preferred polling. Cook’s ability to separate himself from Albanese will hinge on discussions with his Liberal counterpart Libby Mettam, as the WA Electoral Act allows for election postponement in exceptional circumstances with mutual agreement between the Premier and State Opposition Leader.
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Labor currently holds a significant majority in the WA Legislative Assembly, with Cook’s party controlling 53 seats compared to the Liberals’ three and three held by the Nationals. However, there are concerns within Labor that the Premier may be overly cautious.
Mettam and the Liberals are hoping to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction in WA towards Albanese and his government, aiming to reclaim the four seats lost to Labor in 2022 under Mark McGowan’s leadership. These seats are seen as pivotal in the upcoming federal election, intensifying the competition between the two major parties.
Coalition Leader Peter Dutton has raised objections to the idea of a federal election in March or earlier, questioning Albanese’s commitment to serving a full term. Dutton emphasizes the need for transparency in any discussions between the Prime Minister and the WA Premier regarding election timing adjustments.
