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Western Australia is currently governed by the Australian Labor Party, which won a historic victory in the state's March 2021 elections. Led by Premier Roger Cook, the party secured 53 out of 59 seats in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, marking the first time a party has held a majority in the state's upper house. This victory sparked concerns about the potential for total control and the ability for sufficient democratic scrutiny. However, Western Australia's political landscape includes diverse opposition parties, such as the Liberal Party, the Nationals, and smaller parties like the Australian Christians, ensuring a comprehensive democratic dialogue. The presence of independent integrity agencies and a diverse media landscape also contribute to maintaining a check on governmental powers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Party in power | Australian Labor Party (ALP) |
| Leader | Roger Cook |
| Number of seats won in 2021 | 53 out of 59 |
| Opposition parties | Liberal Party, Nationals, Australian Christians |
| Other parties | One Nation, Greens, Palmer United Party |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian Labor Party's historic victory
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) secured a historic victory in the Western Australian state election held in March 2021. Led by Premier Roger Cook, the ALP won 53 out of 59 seats in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, the lower house of the state's Parliament. This victory marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time since the 1980s that any party in Western Australia had won three consecutive state elections.
The ALP's triumph in the 2021 election gave them a strong majority and cemented their power in Western Australia. The party's success can be attributed to its focus on strong financial management, job creation, and delivering infrastructure and services to the people of Western Australia. Premier Roger Cook attributed the victory to the party's ability to provide a sensible and stable government, especially during times of global uncertainty.
The ALP's victory in 2021 was preceded by notable wins in the 2017 Western Australian election and the 2018 Victorian state election. However, the party also faced setbacks, such as losing the 2018 South Australian state election after 16 years in government and falling short in the 2019 New South Wales state election and the 2019 federal election despite favourable polling.
The 2021 Western Australian election victory was particularly significant for the ALP as it demonstrated the trust placed in them by the people of Western Australia. The party's commitment to economic growth, job creation, and addressing housing and health concerns resonated with voters. This historic win solidified the ALP's position in the state and marked a pivotal moment in Western Australia's political landscape.
The ALP's dominance in Western Australia continued with their victory in the 2025 state election, where they secured a third term in government. While there was a swing away from Labor, the party still maintained its strong position, reflecting the voters' recognition of their sensible governance. The 2025 election further emphasized the dynamic political landscape in Western Australia, with the presence of opposition parties like the Liberal Party, the Nationals, and smaller parties contributing to a comprehensive democratic dialogue.
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The Liberal Party's defeat
The Australian Labor Party, under the leadership of Premier Roger Cook, currently holds power in Western Australia. The ALP's victory in the state elections in March 2021 marked a significant shift in the state's political landscape, with the party obtaining a majority in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly.
However, this victory did not come without prior setbacks for the ALP. In 2001, the Liberals suffered an election defeat, after which Colin Barnett emerged as a strong Opposition Leader. Despite a period of instability, he ensured the Liberal Party's resilience in the 2005 election. Subsequently, the Liberal Party formed a government with the National Party and Independent members, undertaking significant capital works and expanding public services to accommodate Western Australia's burgeoning population.
In the following years, the Liberal Party faced a series of challenges and setbacks. In 2014, the Liberals clung to just three seats in the WA Senate election, with Labor suffering a defeat at the hands of the Greens and Palmer. Furthermore, in the 2021 election, the Liberal Party faced another setback, losing its position as the official Opposition party to the Nationals after a landslide Labor victory.
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The Nationals WA
The party has a history dating back to 1913 when it was founded as the Country Party and was associated with the farmers' organisation, the Farmers & Settlers Association/Primary Producers Association. This association lasted until 1944.
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The role of independent integrity agencies
The Australian Labor Party, led by Premier Roger Cook, currently holds power in Western Australia. The ALP's victory in the March 2021 state elections was historic, winning 53 out of 59 seats in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly.
Western Australia has a range of measures in place to maintain integrity, conduct, and ethics within its government sector. These include:
- A suite of resources to help authorities identify, declare, and manage conflicts of interest. This includes guidance on Western Australia's 'whistle-blowing' legislation and information on accountability measures and performance expectations.
- Internal audit functions within public sector agencies to provide independent and objective assurance that resources are being managed effectively and efficiently. The independence of these audit functions is crucial, and they are often led by suitably qualified senior officers with no other management powers.
- Integrity policies and procedures that are a fundamental part of any integrity framework. This includes codes of conduct, employment screening, integrity training, segregation of duties, supervision, detection programs, and audits.
- Procurement guidelines that advise officers not to accept gifts or benefits that may compromise or appear to compromise the integrity of procurement activities. State agencies are encouraged to develop, publish, and enforce agency purchasing procedures that promote probity and accountability.
- The Integrity Coordination Group has published guidelines for managing conflicts of interest, which State agencies should follow to identify, manage, and resolve actual, perceived, and potential conflicts. This includes the use of a Declaration of Interest and Confidentiality form.
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The future of democracy in Western Australia
Western Australia's political landscape has historically been volatile, with the state known for its conservative leanings and, more recently, a shift towards left-leaning ideologies. The future of democracy in Western Australia is shaped by the participation of diverse political voices, including major parties like the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and smaller parties like the Australian Christians.
The ALP, led by Premier Roger Cook, currently holds power in Western Australia following a historic victory in the 2021 state elections. This victory, where the ALP secured 53 out of 59 seats, marked a significant shift in the state's political landscape. However, the future of democracy in Western Australia is not solely dependent on the governing party but also on the contributions of opposition parties and their engagement in democratic dialogue.
The presence of smaller parties like the Nationals, the Liberal Party, and the Australian Christians adds to the diversity of political discourse. The Nationals WA, for instance, has maintained its independence by reviewing legislation independently and voting accordingly. The Australian Christians, despite not holding significant power, contribute a unique set of values and perspectives that enrich the democratic process.
Western Australia's democracy operates within the broader framework of Australia's constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in the Westminster tradition. Australia's federal system divides power between the federal government and the states, with the monarch, King Charles III, as the head of state. While the governor-general, the representative of the monarch, performs most functions of the head of state in practice.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Labor Party, under the leadership of Premier Roger Cook, holds power in Western Australia.
The ALP's ascent to power was cemented in the state elections held in March 2021, where they achieved a historic victory, obtaining a majority in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly.
While the ALP enjoys a strong majority, the political landscape in Western Australia features dynamic opposition from parties like the Liberal Party, the Nationals, and Australian Christians.
The 2021 state election victory for the ALP was significant as they won 53 out of the 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly, marking one of the most significant victories in the state's political history and giving them a majority for the first time ever in Western Australia's upper house.
