Lyla Lindsey
The Western Australia Party (WAP) was a regional political party that promoted itself as a centrist alternative to the major parties in Western Australia. The party's ideological focus was regionalism, with core policies including tax reform, reform of the Local Government and WA's Family Court, and a better share of defence contracts. The party contested its first federal election in 2019, running 20 candidates across Western Australia. However, the party gained only 1.8% of the vote in the House of Representatives and 1.2% in the Senate. On May 12, 2020, the party gained its first member of parliament when former One Nation MP and Legislative Council member Charles Smith joined. The party was deregistered on August 2, 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideology | Regionalism |
| Core Policies | Local Government reform, WA's Family Court reform, tax reform |
| Taxation Laws | 100% per capita share of GST, no payroll and capital gains tax, no fringe benefits tax |
| Political Position | Centrist alternative to major parties |
| Political Ideas | Wide range, members from various other parties |
| Electoral Performance | 0.5% of first-preference votes in the 2017 Legislative Assembly election, 0.4% in the Legislative Council election, 9% of first-preference votes in the 2018 Cottesloe by-election, 5.8% in the 2018 Darling Range by-election, 1.8% in the 2019 House of Representatives election, 1.2% in the 2019 Senate election |
| Leadership | Founded by Julie Matheson, led by Dave Grills since August 2021 |
| GST Objective | Western Australia receiving a higher share of GST |
| Defence Contracts | Securing a better deal |
| Indigenous Voice Referendum | Endorsed the "No" vote in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
GST and taxation laws
The Western Australia Party (WAP) was a regional political party founded in 2016 by Julie Matheson, a councillor with the City of Subiaco. The party's ideological focus was regionalism, with core policies centred on reform to Local Government, WA's Family Court, and tax reform.
One of the key platforms of the Western Australia Party was advocating for Western Australia to receive a greater share of GST. The party's sole objective, as stated by spokesman Peter Nisbet, was "to get a better deal with the GST and, secondly, a better share of defence contracts". This stance was reflected in the party's policies, which included a proposed 100% per capita share of the GST for Western Australia, as well as the removal of payroll and capital gains tax, and the abolition of fringe benefits tax.
The Western Australia Party promoted itself as a centrist alternative to the major parties, making decisions based on the best interests of Western Australia rather than adhering to a specific ideology. This approach resulted in the party attracting members from various political backgrounds and espousing a wide array of political ideas.
In terms of taxation laws, the Western Australia Party sought to implement significant changes. In addition to their proposals regarding GST and other taxes, they also aimed to reform the Western Australian Family Court and Local Government Systems. The party believed that these reforms would benefit the region and its people.
The Western Australia Party contested its first federal election in 2019, running 20 candidates across the state. However, the party gained only a small percentage of votes, and it was deregistered on 2 August 2023. Despite its short existence, the party left a mark on Western Australian politics by bringing attention to regional concerns and advocating for a fairer distribution of resources.
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Local government reform
The Western Australia Party (WAP) was a regional political party founded in 2016 by Julie Matheson, a councillor with the City of Subiaco. The party's ideological focus was regionalism, with core policies including local government reform, tax reform, and reform of the WA Family Court.
The party believed that local governments should have more autonomy and decision-making power, allowing them to address the specific needs and priorities of their communities. This included the devolution of powers and resources from the state government to local councils, enabling them to make decisions closer to the people they serve.
To achieve this, the Western Australia Party proposed several measures. Firstly, they suggested amending legislation and policies to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of local governments, ensuring they have the necessary authority to act on local issues. This included reviewing and updating the Local Government Act to reflect modern realities and the changing needs of communities.
Secondly, the party advocated for increasing the financial resources available to local governments. This included a fairer distribution of state funds, as well as exploring alternative revenue streams such as public-private partnerships and local investment initiatives. The party also proposed the removal of certain taxes, such as payroll and fringe benefits tax, to improve the financial position of local governments and promote economic growth.
Additionally, the Western Australia Party recognised the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance. They proposed measures to enhance community engagement and participation in decision-making processes, such as public consultations and advisory committees. This ensured that local governments remained responsive to the needs and aspirations of their constituents.
The party also emphasised the need for strong and effective leadership at the local level. They supported initiatives to attract and retain talented individuals to serve in local government roles, including competitive remuneration and professional development opportunities.
Overall, the Western Australia Party's stance on local government reform reflected their commitment to empowering local communities and ensuring that decision-making was responsive, efficient, and aligned with the unique needs of Western Australia.
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WA's Family Court reform
The Western Australia Party (WAP) was a regional political party that promoted itself as a centrist alternative to the major parties. The party's ideological focus was regionalism, and its core policies included reform to Local Government, WA's Family Court, and tax reform.
Fortunato's proposed reforms included enhanced training for judges, increased protections for survivors of domestic violence, and updated standards for evidence and procedures. One of the most notable bills, Senate Bill 5879, also known as Kayden's Law, addressed the issue of unsafe "reunification" treatments that could potentially force children to be with a dangerous or resistant parent. This law also made Washington eligible for significant federal funding to support judge training and improve the safety of family court procedures.
Additionally, Senate Bill 5868 focused on updating the family law handbook, which had not been revised since 2015. This bill aimed to provide more resources and up-to-date information for individuals navigating the family court system. Fortunato emphasized the urgency and importance of these reforms, stating that failing to implement them put lives at risk.
The Western Australia Party's stance on WA's Family Court reform aligned with its overall commitment to regionalism and making decisions based on the best interests of Western Australia. By advocating for these reforms, the party sought to address long-standing issues within the Family Court system and improve outcomes for individuals and families navigating complex legal situations, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and child safety.
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Defence contracts
The Western Australia Party (WAP) was founded in 2016 by Julie Matheson, a councillor with the City of Subiaco. The party's ideological focus was regionalism, and it drew its inspiration from Matheson and John Forrest. The core policies of the party included local government reform, tax reform, and reform of WA's Family Court. In 2017, the party rebranded with the aim of contesting the next federal election on a platform that advocated for Western Australia to receive more GST.
One of the key objectives of the Western Australia Party was to secure a better share of defence contracts for the state. This was in recognition of the critical contribution that Western Australia makes to the country's defence capabilities and its vital strategic role in national defence. Western Australia is fundamental to Australia's naval shipbuilding and submarine capabilities, as evidenced by its role in the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pathway and continuous naval shipbuilding initiatives.
In October 2024, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Western Australia to deliver and sustain Australia's future defence capabilities. This agreement recognised the importance of Western Australia in the defence industry and outlined several initiatives to strengthen the state's contribution.
The agreement included the establishment of a Commonwealth Defence Precinct at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, which would support naval shipbuilding and submarine requirements. It also outlined the delivery of maintenance capabilities for nuclear-powered submarines and the establishment of a dedicated group to coordinate workforce development and skilling initiatives for defence capabilities.
Through this agreement, the Commonwealth and State of Western Australia aimed to work together to enhance the state's defence industry, ensuring efficient, effective, economical, and ethical outcomes.
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Centrist alternative
The Western Australia Party (WAP) was a regional political party that promoted itself as a centrist alternative to the major parties in the region. The party's ideological focus was regionalism, with core policies centred around reforms to local government, the Western Australian Family Court, and tax.
WAP was founded in 2016 by Julie Matheson, a councillor with the City of Subiaco. The party received financial support from local businessmen and had the backing of retired legal professionals. Its policies included a push for a higher share of GST revenue for Western Australia, removing payroll and capital gains tax, and reforming the Family Court and Local Government systems.
WAP's positioning as a centrist alternative is notable in the context of Western Australia's political landscape. The state has traditionally seen a two-party coalition between the centre-right Liberal Party and the National Party, which represents agrarian interests. Tensions within this coalition and the rise of independent forces, such as WAP, reflect a desire for alternative political options in the region.
WAP's centrist stance allowed it to attract members from various political backgrounds, fostering a diverse range of political ideas within the party. This approach, prioritizing the best interests of Western Australia over strict adherence to a particular ideology, offered a unique perspective in the region's political arena.
However, despite its centrist appeal, WAP faced challenges in electoral success. In its first federal election in 2019, the party gained only a small percentage of votes. WAP's performance in subsequent elections also fell short of expectations, and it was deregistered in August 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
The Western Australia Party (WAP) was a regional political party active in Western Australia. The party was founded in 2016 by Julie Matheson, a councillor with the City of Subiaco.
The Western Australia Party's core policies included reform to Local Government, the Western Australian Family Court, and tax reform. They promoted themselves as a centrist alternative to the major parties, with a wide array of political ideas.
The party advocated for Western Australia to receive a greater share of GST. They proposed a 100% per capita share and removing payroll and capital gains tax.
The party gained only a small percentage of votes in the 2017 state election and 2018 by-elections. In 2019, they contested their first federal election but gained only 1.8% in the House of Representatives and 1.2% in the Senate. In 2020, the party gained its first member of parliament when former One Nation MP Charles Smith joined.
No, the Western Australia Party was deregistered on 2 August 2023.
