Australian Parliamentary Library - Background Paper 15 1996-97

Background Paper 15 1996-97
Western Australian Elections 1996

Gerard Newman
Statistics Group
19 June 1997

Abbreviations and Symbols

Table 1 Legislative Assembly: State Summary

Table 2a Legislative Assembly: District Summary

Table 2b Legislative Assembly: District Summary

Table 3 Legislative Assembly: District Details

Table 4 Legislative Assembly: Two Party Preferred Votes

Table 5 Legislative Assembly: Electoral Pendulum

Table 6 Legislative Council: State Summary

Table 7 Legislative Council: Region Summary

Table 8 Legislative Council: Region Details

Table 9 Legislative Assembly By-elections 1994-1996

Table 10 Legislative Assembly Elections 1950-1996

Abbreviations and Symbols

AD: Australian Democrats
AFP: Australia First Party
ALP: Australian Labor Party
AMP: Australian Marijuana Party
APP: Australian People's Party
ARP: Australian Reform Party
CAP: Confederate Action Party
CEC: Citizens Electoral Council
CRM: CALM Resistance Movement
CTA: Call to Australia
DLP: Democratic Labor Party
DRP: Democratic Republican Party
GPR: Grey Power
GRN: The Greens (WA)
IND: Independent
LAW: National Law Party
LP: Liberal Party
NP: National Party
OTH: Other Parties and Independents
RA: Republic Australia
RN: RACISM NO!

Western Australia went to the polls on 14 December 1996 in the State's first pre-Christmas general election in over fifty years. In calling the election three months early Premier Richard Court hoped to take advantage of favourable opinion polls and the inexperience of newly installed Labor leader Dr Geoff Gallop.

In the event Richard Court's instincts proved to be correct and his Liberal National Party Coalition government was comfortably returned. Despite suffering a fall in electoral support the government was able to increase its numbers in the Legislative Assembly. However, in the Legislative Council the conservative parties lost control for the first time when the newly elected members took up their seats on 22 May 1977.

The Labor Party went into the election expecting to lose and even took the bold step of conceding defeat three days before the election in an attempt to minimise the damage. Whether this contentious strategy worked or not is unclear but the actual election result was not the disaster for Labor that many feared.

This paper presents a mostly statistical analysis of the 1996 election for the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. For historical purposes the results of Assembly by-elections held between the 1993 and 1996 general elections (Table 9) and a summary of Assembly elections since 1950 (Table 10) are also shown. The 1994 redistribution (discussed below) resulted in substantial changes to electoral boundaries in Western Australia. For this reason first preference swings from the 1993 election are not shown in the detailed Assembly district results (Table 3). In tables showing candidate details (Tables 3, 8 and 9) the order of candidates are as they appeared on the ballot paper.

The Campaign

After several weeks of speculation about an early election Premier Richard Court announced the pre-Christmas poll on 14 November 1996. The one-month campaign right in the middle of the Christmas spending season was not greeted with enthusiasm by the Western Australian retail industry.

In calling the early election Richard Court hoped to take advantage of a number of factors. Apart from favourable opinion polls, the early election had the additional advantages for the Premier of denying newly elected Labor leader Dr Geoff Gallop time to establish a profile, thwarting a number of breakaway Liberal independents mounting strong challenges in a number of safe Liberal seats, and avoiding any delayed adverse electoral impact from the federal Budget.(2)

Opinion polls conducted at the start of the campaign showed a comfortable lead for the Coalition government. The Westpoll(3) of 19-21 November showed support for the Coalition at 46% compared to 37% support for Labor. According to the same poll the most important issues among voters were law and order, education and health. The environment was rated sixth after accountability and financial management. The last two mentioned issues confirmed the belief that Labor still had substantial ground to recover before it could put the spectre of 'WA Inc' behind it.

The Coalition campaign started with the theme of strong financial management, citing the government's record of reducing State debt by $1.9 billion and bringing in three balanced budgets. As proof of the government's credentials, Premier Court undertook to publish a Treasury document updating the forward estimates and setting a ceiling on election promises.(4)

Later in the campaign the Coalition attempted to add authenticity to its election promises by claiming that Treasury had verified its costings. In an embarrassing development Treasury officials denied having costed the government's promises but merely assessed the methodology and found that it 'appears reasonable'.(5)

Other themes to emerge in the Coalition's campaign were a commitment to a social dividend, in the form of increased spending on education, health and community infrastructure, resulting from an improvement in the State's finances.

The Coalition's election band wagon received a jolt late in the campaign when a row broke out between Deputy Premier and National Party leader Hendy Cowan and Energy Minister Colin Barnett over regional electricity prices. The dispute was perhaps symptomatic of underlying Coalition tensions that were exacerbated by candidate selections in some electorates. Although the Coalition partners entered into an agreement not to contest seats held by their other partner some disputes occurred. In Roe, the sitting National Party member was challenged by two former Liberals while in Ningaloo and Kalgoorlie ex-Liberals were endorsed as National Party candidates to contest the Labor held seats.

In contrast with the Coalition's campaign, the campaign of Labor leader Dr Geoff Gallop was generally regarded as being highly effective. A report in the West Australian on the Monday following the election stated that 'senior MPs and analysts from both sides of politics agreed that Dr Gallop had finished stronger than the Premier, effectively heading off a complete rout of the ALP'.(6)

It is worth noting that Dr Gallop only became Labor leader just over one month before the election was called when Mr Jim McGinty resigned unexpectedly.

In his campaign launch Dr Gallop made an appeal to Labor's heartland with an election package that included increased funding for education, health, public transport and the environment. Dr Gallop also made an appeal to home owners with an offer to abolish stamp duty on refinanced mortgages below a $120 000 threshold.

With perhaps an eye on the past and a possible attack from the Coalition, Dr Gallop also made a bid for fiscal responsibility by offering to reduce the number of Cabinet ministers from 17 to 12 and by reducing the number of senior public servants.

Controversy surrounding the costing of each Party's election promise came to a head at the first ever debate between the two leaders in a Western Australian election campaign. In a radio debate held on Monday 25 November the Premier and Opposition Leader had a fiery clash over each Party's election costings. Premier Court released Coalition costings of Labor's promises at $624 million compared to the Coalition's commitments of $80 million. Dr Gallop in turn accused Premier Court of inflating the cost of Labor's promises but did concede that Labor had made at least $200 million in commitments.(7)

The only apparent setback in Labor's campaign occurred on the Wednesday before polling day when ALP State secretary Mark Nolan and leader Dr Gallop virtually conceded defeat. Secretary Nolan cited a preference deal between the Australian Democrats and the Liberals to support the Liberals in seven key seats as the reason for a likely Coalition win. Meanwhile Dr Gallop added to the virtual admission of defeat by stating that 'information I have seen in the polls throughout this campaign indicates the Court Government will be returned comfortably on Saturday'.(8)

The Result

Legislative Assembly

The result of the Western Australian election was very much in line with what the opinion polls and commentators had predicted. The Coalition government was returned with a slightly increased majority (up 3 seats on the 1993 result) despite a fall in support for the Liberal Party (down 4.25% on 1993). In winning 29 seats in the 57 member Legislative Assembly the Liberal Party, for the first time, has an absolute majority in its own right.

Support for the Liberal Party was adversely affected by the rise of independent candidates, mostly former Liberals. Three Independents were elected to the Legislative Assembly; Elizabeth Constable in Churchlands and Phillip Pendal in South Perth, both former Liberals, and Ernie Bridge in Kimberley, formerly Labor. In total independent candidates received 7.79% of the vote, the highest since the 1950s.

The Coalition partners largely avoided three-cornered contests in keeping with a pre-election agreement not to challenge each other in seats contested by sitting members. The National Party retained its six seats, five of which were not contested by the Liberal Party. In only one seat where both Coalition parties stood candidates did the National Party win compared with three successes for the Liberal Party.

The election result for the Labor Party was not as bad as many in the Party had feared before the election was called. The Labor Party won 19 seats, a net loss of 5 from the 1993 result while largely maintaining its level of voter support, down by 1.26%. However, in historical terms the 1996 result was the worst result for the Labor Party since 1917.

For minor parties, apart from the Independents, the Assembly election result was a mixed bag. The Australian Democrats staged something of a comeback and recorded their highest ever level of support (5.09%) and marginally outpolled the Western Australian Greens (4.73%).

In all, 231 candidates contested the 1996 Legislative Assembly elections, a decrease of 52 compared with the 1993 elections. The Labor Party contested all seats except Kimberley where the ex-Labor member Ernie Bridge was not challenged by his former party. The Liberal Party contested 50 seats while their Coalition partners the National Party contested 14 seats. The Democrats and Greens contested 38 and 28 seats respectively (see Table 1).

Perhaps the main interest in the Legislative Assembly election was in those Districts where strong independent candidates provided the main challenge to the major parties (see Table 3).

In Alfred Cove, a new seat following the redistribution, the independent Penny Hearne (a Liberal Party candidate opposed to Kim Beazley in the 1996 Federal election) was unable to defeat former Minister and Liberal candidate Doug Shave, whose previous seat of Melville was abolished in the redistribution.
In the new northern suburbs seat of Carine, the sitting Liberal member for Balcatta, Katrina Hobson-Thomas, successfully withstood a strong challenge from the independent Peter Kyle.
The independent member for Floreat, Elizabeth Constable, contested the notionally safe Liberal seat of Churchlands and won decisively against the only other candidate, from the Labor Party. The Liberal Party decided not to oppose Ms Constable in Churchlands.
In the northern seat of Kimberley, the ex-Labor member Ernie Bridge was not opposed by his former party but was challenged by both the Liberal and National Parties and a former Labor branch member, David Martin, contesting the seat as an independent Labor candidate. Ernie Bridge received the lion's share of Martin's preferences to safely hold off the Liberal challenge.
In South Perth ex-Liberal sitting member Phillip Pendal easily withstood the challenge from the Liberal Party's Peter Spencer.
In the new seat of Yokine, the Liberal member for Dianela, Kim Hames, withstood a strong challenge from the Labor member for Balcatta, Nick Catania, and a former Labor member of the Legislative Council, Sam Piantadosi. Yokine was one of the seats involved in the Democrat/Liberal preference deal.

Other Districts of interest were the other six marginal seats (Ballajura, Bunbury, Innaloo, Joondalup, Mitchell and Wanneroo) where the Australian Democrats agreed to direct preferences to the Liberal Party in exchange for Liberal preferences in the Legislative Council. In all six seats the Liberal Party won, but it is unclear how important the preference deal was in winning these seats as opposed to the inability of the Labor Party to achieve a swing in its favour.

In two-party preferred vote terms there was a small swing to the Labor Party (see Table 4). On a State wide basis the Labor Party received a swing of 0.8%, to give it a two party preferred vote of 45.4%. The calculation of two-party preferred vote estimates in Western Australia is complicated by the presence of strong independent candidates and the absence of major party candidates in some seats. The 1994 redistribution is another complicating factor. All swings in Table 4 are based on the 1993 election results adjusted for the 1994 redistribution. Two-party preferred vote figures have not been calculated for Churchlands and Kimberley where there were no Liberal or Labor candidates respectively.

The status quo nature of the 1996 election can be illustrated by the fact that many of the seats regarded as marginal before the election are still classified as marginal, although the electoral pendulum now suggests that the Liberal Party is more vulnerable to a small shift in voter support than the Labor Party. The pre-election electoral pendulum listed ten Labor held seats as having a margin of less than 5% compared to eight Coalition seats. After the 1996 election eight Coalition seats are held with a margin of less than 5% compared with only five Labor seats (see Table 5).

Voter turnout at the 1996 election was down 3.5% on the 1993 election and was below 90% for the first time since 1983. The lower turnout figure could possibly be attributed to the timing of the election and the preceived foregone nature of the contest.

Legislative Council

In certain respects the result of the Legislative Council election was more interesting than the result of the Assembly elections. Membership of the Council is now evenly divided between the Coalition (14 Liberal Party and 3 National Party members) and the non-government parties (12 Australian Labor Party, 2 Australian Democrats and 3 Greens) (see Table 7).

In another demonstration of coalition harmony the Liberal and National parties ran joint tickets in the Agricultural and South West Regions. In both Regions the Coalition won four seats, the same number as in the 1993 election. The big winners in the Legislative Council elections were the Australian Democrats and the Greens. The Democrats won two seats for their first ever representation in the Council while the Greens increased their representation from one to three. The sole independent in the council, Reginald Davies, was defeated.

In terms of votes both the Coalition and Labor parties lost support. Comparing the votes received by the Coalition at the 1996 election with the 1993 election is complicated by the joint tickets in two regions. However, if the votes for the Liberal Party and the National Party are aggregated together for both elections a swing of 3.13% against the Coalition can be determined. A slightly larger swing (3.75%) was recorded against the Labor Party while the Australian Democrats recorded a 3.58% swing in their favour.

With the election of George Gash (LP) as President of the Council, non-government parties gained the balance of power when the members of the Council elected in 1996 took up their seats on 22 May 1977. The impact of the change in the balance of power in the Council has already become apparent with the use of the guillotine to pass the government's controversial industrial relations legislation before the 22 May changeover and the manoeuvring over committees since then.(9)

Legislative Council Electoral System

The Western Australian Legislative Council consists of 34 members elected for a fixed four year term (commencing on 22 May 1997 for the Council elected at the 1996 election). For electoral purposes the State is divided into six Regions, based on combinations of Assembly Districts, with each Region returning five or seven members. The Agricultural, Mining and Pastoral, East Metropolitan and South Metropolitan Regions each return five members while the North Metropolitan and South West Regions each return seven members. Members are elected by proportional representation using the Senate type electoral system.
As with the Legislative Assembly there is a considerable degree of malapportionment with the Legislative Council. Based on 1996 election enrolments the average number of electors per member for non-metropolitan regions is 17234 compared to 48647 for metropolitan regions. The biggest disparity is between the Mining and Pastoral Region with 13654 electors per member and the East Metropolitan Region with 49489 electors per member.

Endnotes

Australian, 15 November 1996.
D. Black and H. Phillips 'Western Australian Election 1996', Current Affairs Bulletin, February-March 1997.
West Australian, 23 November 1996.
Black and Phillips, op.cit.
Weekend Australian, 7 December 1996
West Australian, 16 December 1996.
Australian, 26 November 1996.
West Australian, 12 December 1996.
West Australian, 6 June 1977.

Table 1 Legislative Assembly: State Summary

                                                                   Enrolled 1119992 
                           Candidates    Seats   First Preference      Change From    
                                           Won         Votes          1993 Election   
                                                  Number      Per    Seats  % Votes 
                                                             cent                   
Liberal Party                      50       29   384 518    39.90       +3    -4.25 
Australian Labor Party             56       19   345 159    35.82       -5    -1.26 
National Party                     14        6    55 817     5.79             +0.48 
Australian Democrats               38             48 985     5.08             +2.76 
The Greens (WA)                    28             45 550     4.73             +0.42 
Australian Marijuana                4              3 245     0.34             +0.34 
Party                                                                               
Citizens Electoral                  3              1 671     0.17             +0.17 
Council                                                                             
Australia First Party               1              1 006     0.10             +0.10 
CALM Resistance Movement            1                952     0.10             +0.06 
Call to Australia                   1                733     0.08             +0.04 
Australian Reform Party             1                589     0.06             +0.06 
Australian People's Party           1                326     0.03             +0.03 
Others                             33        3    75 055     7.79       +2    +1.04 

Formal                                           963 606    95.61             -0.26 
Informal                                          44 227     4.39             +0.26 
Total                             231       57     1 007    89.99             -3.51 
                                                     833

Table 2a Legislative Assembly: District Summary

Number

Electoral District                           First Preference Votes                   Formal   Informal    Total   Electors
                           LP       ALP         NP        AD        Grn       Oth      Votes     Votes     Votes   Enrolled 
Albany                   6649      3873                                       952      11474       550     12024      13026 
Alfred Cove             10657      4134                                      6558      21349       569     21918      24076 
Armadale                 6830      9667                 1221                 4036      21754      1155     22909      25266 
Avon                     1276      3080       6795                                     11151       536     11687      12844 
Ballajura                9974      9273                  703        750      2224      22924      1402     24326      26289 
Bassendean               6986     11349                 2620                           20955      1312     22267      24472 
Belmont                  7605      9910                 1385       1729                20629      1357     21986      24313 
Bunbury                  5322      3740                  256        585      1264      11167       467     11634      12775 
Burrup                   3627      4436       1284                                      9347       365      9712      11550 
Carine                  10124      3640                            1412      6600      21776       546     22322      24244 
Churchlands                        3478                                     17254      20732       492     21224      23661 
Cockburn                 6793     10326                 1427       1749                20295      1267     21562      23460 
Collie                             4779       6954                                     11733       295     12028      13015 
Cottesloe               12572      3766                 1560       2874                20772       602     21374      24273 
Darling Range           11711      5876                 1923       1830                21340      1066     22406      24411 
Dawesville               6183      4098                  420                 1669      12370       416     12786      14160 
Eyre                     1714      4611       1732                                      8057       418      8475      10588 
Fremantle                6479      9096                 1420       2874                19869      1107     20976      23644 
Geraldton                5237      3641                  330                 1194      10402       428     10830      12276 
Girrawheen               6240     10689                 2200                           19129      1412     20541      23037 
Greenough                8202      3172                                                11374       367     11741      13022 
Hillarys                12085      7442                 3139                           22666      1036     23702      25955 
Innaloo                  9516      7334                 1320       1566       893      20629      1159     21788      24311 
Joondalup               10557      7777                 1238       1527      1135      22234       983     23217      25383 
Kalgoorlie               3435      4985       1349                            898      10667       369     11036      12754 
Kimberley                2265                  711                           5092       8068       257      8325      12127 
Kingsley                11843      7071                 2866                           21780      1058     22838      24612 
Mandurah                 5281      4374                  284        569       608      11116       443     11559      12702 
Maylands                 7564      9516                 1361       1822                20263      1162     21425      24025 
Merredin                           2203       9488                                     11691       282     11973      13035 
Midland                  8745     10340                 2890                           21975      1278     23253      25299 
Mitchell                 6146      5272        343       279        701                12741       450     13191      14221 
Moore                    8497      2409                                                10906       291     11197      12218 
Murdoch                 12387      5538                            2705                20630       805     21435      23450 
Murray-Wellington        6401      3513                  592                 1192      11698       579     12277      13421 
Nedlands                11429      4015                 1577       2247       915      20183       556     20739      23599 
Ningaloo                 3133      3621       1175       218        557                 8704       348      9052      10916 
Nollamara                7178     10493                 1801                           19472      1566     21038      23300 
Peel                     3573     11605                 1100       1604      3817      21699      1161     22860      25588 
Perth                    6710      8501                            2087       803      18101      1008     19109      22142 
Pilbara                  1964      4284        465                                      6713       324      7037      10336 
Riverton                 9686      5847                 1083                 4153      20769       823     21592      23560 
Rockingham               7029      9759                  821       1211      1296      20116       893     21009      23102 
Roe                                1217       6286                           4231      11734       281     12015      13134 
Roleystone              10164      6902                 1742       2215                21023      1125     22148      24320 
South Perth              6764      4031                            1473      8058      20326       553     20879      23715 
Southern River           9528      8912                 1226                 2182      21848      1111     22959      24963 
Stirling                           1870       7569       469       1436                11344       425     11769      12827 
Swan Hills              10756      5701                 1696       2266       589      21008       862     21870      23855 
Thornlie                 9077      8853                 1514       1602                21046      1174     22220      24256 
Vasse                    5433      2097       2917       451                 1674      12572       476     13048      14172 
Victoria Park            7313      9725                 1042       1289      1015      20384       963     21347      24160 
Wagin                              2213       8749                            819      11781       412     12193      13248 
Wanneroo                11252     10023                 1815       2011                25101      1266     26367      28722 
Warren-Blackwood         8033      3198                 1105                  666      13002       467     13469      14624 
Willagee                 7466     10186                  915       1765                20332      1025     21357      23388 
Yokine                   9127      7698                  976       1094      1790      20685      1127     21812      24150 

Total                  384518    345159      55817     48985      45550     83577     963606     44227   1007833    1119992

Table 2b Legislative Assembly: District Summary

Per cent

Electoral District                 First Preference Votes             Formal Informal  Total 
                         LP      ALP      NP      AD     Grn     Oth   Votes   Votes   Votes 
Albany                 57.9     33.8                             8.3    95.4     4.6    92.3 
Alfred Cove            49.9     19.4                            30.7    97.4     2.6    91.0 
Armadale               31.4     44.4             5.6            18.6    95.0     5.0    90.7 
Avon                   11.4     27.6    60.9                            95.4     4.6    91.0 
Ballajura              43.5     40.5             3.1     3.3     9.7    94.2     5.8    92.5 
Bassendean             33.3     54.2            12.5                    94.1     5.9    91.0 
Belmont                36.9     48.0             6.7     8.4            93.8     6.2    90.4 
Bunbury                47.7     33.5             2.3     5.2    11.3    96.0     4.0    91.1 
Burrup                 38.8     47.5    13.7                            96.2     3.8    84.1 
Carine                 46.5     16.7                     6.5    30.3    97.6     2.4    92.1 
Churchlands                     16.8                            83.2    97.7     2.3    89.7 
Cockburn               33.5     50.9             7.0     8.6            94.1     5.9    91.9 
Collie                          40.7    59.3                            97.5     2.5    92.4 
Cottesloe              60.5     18.1             7.5    13.8            97.2     2.8    88.1 
Darling Range          54.9     27.5             9.0     8.6            95.2     4.8    91.8 
Dawesville             50.0     33.1             3.4            13.5    96.7     3.3    90.3 
Eyre                   21.3     57.2    21.5                            95.1     4.9    80.0 
Fremantle              32.6     45.8             7.1    14.5            94.7     5.3    88.7 
Geraldton              50.3     35.0             3.2            11.5    96.0     4.0    88.2 
Girrawheen             32.6     55.9            11.5                    93.1     6.9    89.2 
Greenough              72.1     27.9                                    96.9     3.1    90.2 
Hillarys               53.3     32.8            13.8                    95.6     4.4    91.3 
Innaloo                46.1     35.6             6.4     7.6     4.3    94.7     5.3    89.6 
Joondalup              47.5     35.0             5.6     6.9     5.1    95.8     4.2    91.5 
Kalgoorlie             32.2     46.7    12.6                     8.4    96.7     3.3    86.5 
Kimberley              28.1              8.8                    63.1    96.9     3.1    68.6 
Kingsley               54.4     32.5            13.2                    95.4     4.6    92.8 
Mandurah               47.5     39.3             2.6     5.1     5.5    96.2     3.8    91.0 
Maylands               37.3     47.0             6.7     9.0            94.6     5.4    89.2 
Merredin                        18.8    81.2                            97.6     2.4    91.9 
Midland                39.8     47.1            13.2                    94.5     5.5    91.9 
Mitchell               48.2     41.4     2.7     2.2     5.5            96.6     3.4    92.8 
Moore                  77.9     22.1                                    97.4     2.6    91.6 
Murdoch                60.0     26.8                    13.1            96.2     3.8    91.4 
Murray-Wellington      54.7     30.0             5.1            10.2    95.3     4.7    91.5 
Nedlands               56.6     19.9             7.8    11.1     4.5    97.3     2.7    87.9 
Ningaloo               36.0     41.6    13.5     2.5     6.4            96.2     3.8    82.9 
Nollamara              36.9     53.9             9.2                    92.6     7.4    90.3 
Peel                   16.5     53.5             5.1     7.4    17.6    94.9     5.1    89.3 
Perth                  37.1     47.0                    11.5     4.4    94.7     5.3    86.3 
Pilbara                29.3     63.8     6.9                            95.4     4.6    68.1 
Riverton               46.6     28.2             5.2            20.0    96.2     3.8    91.6 
Rockingham             34.9     48.5             4.1     6.0     6.4    95.7     4.3    90.9 
Roe                             10.4    53.6                    36.1    97.7     2.3    91.5 
Roleystone             48.3     32.8             8.3    10.5            94.9     5.1    91.1 
South Perth            33.3     19.8                     7.2    39.6    97.4     2.6    88.0 
Southern River         43.6     40.8             5.6            10.0    95.2     4.8    92.0 
Stirling                        16.5    66.7     4.1    12.7            96.4     3.6    91.8 
Swan Hills             51.2     27.1             8.1    10.8     2.8    96.1     3.9    91.7 
Thornlie               43.1     42.1             7.2     7.6            94.7     5.3    91.6 
Vasse                  43.2     16.7    23.2     3.6            13.3    96.4     3.6    92.1 
Victoria Park          35.9     47.7             5.1     6.3     5.0    95.5     4.5    88.4 
Wagin                           18.8    74.3                            96.6     3.4    92.0 
Wanneroo               44.8     39.9             7.2     8.0            95.2     4.8    91.8 
Warren-Blackwood       61.8     24.6             8.5             5.1    96.5     3.5    92.1 
Willagee               36.7     50.1             4.5     8.7            95.2     4.8    91.3 
Yokine                 44.1     37.2             4.7     5.3     8.7    94.8     5.2    90.3 

Total                  39.9     35.8     5.8     5.1     4.7     8.7    95.6     4.4    90.0

Table 3 Legislative Assembly: District Details

Albany Enrolled 13026

Candidate Party Votes %

Moir CRM 952 8.3 Prince LP 6649 57.9 Benson-Lidholm ALP 3873 33.8 Formal 11474 95.4 Informal 550 4.6 Total 12024 92.3

Alfred Cove Enrolled 24076

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Hearne IND 5756 27.0 Pratt ALP 4134 19.4 Shave LP 10657 49.9 Edwards IND 802 3.8 Final Count Hearne IND 10148 47.6 Shave LP 11182 52.4 Exhausted 19 Formal 21349 97.4 Informal 569 2.6 Total 21918 91.0

Armadale Enrolled 25265

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Andretta LP 6830 31.4 Fokkema IND 4036 18.6 Watson AD 1221 5.6 MacTiernan ALP 9667 44.4 Final Count Andretta LP 9982 46.0 MacTiernan ALP 11732 54.0 Exhausted 40 Formal 21754 95.0 Informal 1155 5.0 Total 22909 90.7

Avon Enrolled 12844

Candidate Party Votes %

Andrews ALP 3080 27.6 Bluck IND 1276 11.4 Trenorden NP 6795 60.9 Formal 11151 95.4 Informal 536 4.6 Total 11687 91.0

Ballajura Enrolled 26289

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Sayer AMP 869 3.8 Farrell IND 712 3.1 D'Orazio ALP 9273 40.5 Kerr AD 703 3.1 Nelson IND 643 2.8 Aquilina GRN 750 3.3 Parker LP 9974 43.5 Final Count D'Orazio ALP 11419 49.9 Parker LP 11463 50.1 Exhausted 42 Formal 22924 94.2 Informal 1402 5.8 Total 24326 92.5

Bassendean Enrolled 24475

Candidate Party Votes %

Ready AD 2620 12.5 Brown ALP 11349 54.2 Shenton LP 6986 33.3 Formal 20955 94.1 Informal 1312 5.9 Total 22267 91.0

Belmont Enrolled 24314

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Castillo GRN 1729 8.4 Preston AD 1385 6.7 Ripper ALP 9910 48.0 Murfin LP 7605 36.9 Final Count Ripper ALP 11834 57.5 Murfin LP 8736 42.5 Exhausted 59 Formal 20629 93.8 Informal 1357 6.2 Total 21986 90.4

Bunbury Enrolled 12771

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Hellyer AD 256 2.3 Hill IND 195 1.7 Collins IND 1069 9.6 Down ALP 3740 33.5 Osborne LP 5322 47.7 Jenkins GRN 585 5.2 Final Count Down ALP 4993 44.7 Osborne LP 6166 55.3 Exhausted 8 Formal 11167 96.0 Informal 467 4.0 Total 11634 91.1

Burrup Enrolled 11550

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Ausburn NP 1284 13.7 Haase LP 3627 38.8 Riebeling ALP 4436 47.5 Final Count Haase LP 4518 48.3 Riebeling ALP 4828 51.7 Exhausted 1 Formal 9347 96.2 Informal 365 3.8 Total 9712 84.1

Carine Enrolled 24245

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Bombak IND 1531 7.0 Harley ALP 3640 16.7 Kyle IND 5069 23.3 Goh GRN 1412 6.5 Hodson-Thomas LP 10124 46.5 Final Count Kyle IND 10387 47.8 Hodson-Thomas LP 11360 52.2 Exhausted 29 Formal 21776 97.6 Informal 546 2.4 Total 22322 92.1

Churchlands Enrolled 23661

Candidate Party Votes %

Baker ALP 3478 16.8 Constable IND 17254 83.2 Formal 20732 97.7 Informal 492 2.3 Total 21224 89.7

Cockburn Enrolled 23460

Candidate Party Votes %

Lapthorne GRN 1749 8.6 Thomas ALP 10326 50.9 Zaknic AD 1427 7.0 Blake LP 6793 33.5 Formal 20295 94.1 Informal 1267 5.9 Total 21562 91.9

Collie Enrolled 13015

Candidate Party Votes %

Turnbull NP 6954 59.3 Murray ALP 4779 40.7 Formal 11733 97.5 Informal 295 2.5 Total 12028 92.4

Cottesloe Enrolled 24275

Candidate Party Votes %

Meyer AD 1560 7.5 Barnett LP 12572 60.5 Walker GRN 2874 13.8 Cecchini ALP 3766 18.1 Formal 20772 97.2 Informal 602 2.8 Total 21374 88.0

Darling Range Enrolled 24409

Candidate Party Votes %

Day LP 11711 54.9 Jackson GRN 1830 8.6 Kelly AD 1923 9.0 Stallard ALP 5876 27.5 Formal 21340 95.2 Informal 1066 4.8 Total 22406 91.8

Dawesville Enrolled 14162

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Gent IND 1163 9.4 Harrison AD 420 3.4 Marshall LP 6183 50.0 Pearson IND 506 4.1 Hughes ALP 4098 33.1 Final Count Marshall LP 7398 59.9 Hughes ALP 4947 40.1 Exhausted 25 Formal 12370 96.7 Informal 416 3.3 Total 12786 90.3

Eyre Enrolled 10587

Candidate Party Votes %

Finlayson NP 1732 21.5 Green LP 1714 21.3 Grill ALP 4611 57.2 Formal 8057 95.1 Informal 418 4.9 Total 8475 80.1

Fremantle Enrolled 23647

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Watts AD 1420 7.1 McGinty ALP 9096 45.8 Jones GRN 2874 14.5 Mallis LP 6479 32.6 Final Count McGinty ALP 12153 61.3 Mallis LP 7662 38.7 Exhausted 54 Formal 19869 94.7 Informal 1107 5.3 Total 20976 88.7

Geraldton Enrolled 12274

Candidate Party Votes %

Gyorgy AD 330 3.2 Graham ALP 3641 35.0 Cogan IND 1194 11.5 Bloffwitch LP 5237 50.3 Formal 10402 96.0 Informal 428 4.0 Total 10830 88.2

Girrawheen Enrolled 23038

Candidate Party Votes %

Cunningham ALP 10689 55.9 Evans AD 2200 11.5 Gobby LP 6240 32.6 Formal 19129 93.1 Informal 1412 6.9 Total 20541 89.2

Greenough Enrolled 13024

Candidate Party Votes %

Reynolds ALP 3172 27.9 Minson LP 8202 72.1 Formal 11374 96.9 Informal 367 3.1 Total 11741 90.1

Hillarys Enrolled 25955

Candidate Party Votes %

Johnson LP 12085 53.3 Smith AD 3139 13.8 O'Gorman ALP 7442 32.8 Formal 22666 95.6 Informal 1036 4.4 Total 23702 91.3

Innaloo Enrolled 24311

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Markham AD 1320 6.4 Strickland LP 9516 46.1 Shann AMP 893 4.3 Keillor GRN 1566 7.6 Barrett ALP 7334 35.6 Final Count Strickland LP 11117 54.0 Barrett ALP 9489 46.0 Exhausted 23 Formal 20629 94.7 Informal 1159 5.3 Total 21788 89.6

Joondalup Enrolled 25384

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Guise ALP 7777 35.0 Smith AMP 809 3.6 Rowlands APP 326 1.5 Gilfillan AD 1238 5.6 Baker LP 10557 47.5 Magyar GRN 1527 6.9 Final Count Guise ALP 9884 44.5 Baker LP 12318 55.5 Exhausted 32 Formal 22234 95.8 Informal 983 4.2 Total 23217 91.5

Kalgoorlie Enrolled 12754

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count McGay LP 3435 32.2 Renton IND 898 8.4 Daws NP 1349 12.6 Anwyl ALP 4985 46.7 Final Count McGay LP 4859 45.6 Anwyl ALP 5793 54.4 Exhausted 15 Formal 10667 96.7 Informal 369 3.3 Total 11036 86.5

Kimberley Enrolled 12125

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Martin IND 2365 29.3 Bridge IND 2727 33.8 Parker LP 2265 28.1 O'Kenny NP 711 8.8 Final Count Bridge IND 4954 61.5 Parker LP 3104 38.5 Exhausted 10 Formal 8068 96.9 Informal 257 3.1 Total 8325 68.7

Kingsley Enrolled 24612

Candidate Party Votes %

Edwardes LP 11843 54.4 Toonen AD 2866 13.2 Davies ALP 7071 32.5 Formal 21780 95.4 Informal 1058 4.6 Total 22838 92.8

Mandurah Enrolled 12700

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Holmes ALP 4374 39.3 McKercher AD 284 2.6 Smith IND 608 5.5 Keddie GRN 569 5.1 Nicholls LP 5281 47.5 Final Count Holmes ALP 5215 47.0 Nicholls LP 5877 53.0 Exhausted 24 Formal 11116 96.2 Informal 443 3.8 Total 11559 91.0

Maylands Enrolled 24024

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Speed GRN 1822 9.0 Edwards ALP 9516 47.0 Brennan LP 7564 37.3 Lim AD 1361 6.7 Final Count Edwards ALP 11549 57.1 Brennan LP 8678 42.9 Exhausted 36 Formal 20263 94.6 Informal 1162 5.4 Total 21425 89.2

Merredin Enrolled 13036

Candidate Party Votes %

Cole ALP 2203 18.8 Cowan NP 9488 81.2 Formal 11691 97.6 Informal 282 2.4 Total 11973 91.8

Midland Enrolled 25297

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Preston AD 2890 13.2 Fergusson-Stewart LP 8745 39.8 Roberts ALP 10340 47.1 Final Count Fergusson-Stewart LP 10032 45.7 Roberts ALP 11912 54.3 Exhausted 31 Formal 21975 94.5 Informal 1278 5.5 Total 23253 91.9

Mitchell Enrolled 14220

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Parke ALP 5272 41.4 Prowse NP 343 2.7 Eckersley GRN 701 5.5 Wilde AD 279 2.2 Barrow-Sullivan LP 6146 48.2 Final Count Parke ALP 5961 46.8 Barrow-Sullivan LP 6774 53.2 Exhausted 6 Formal 12741 96.6 Informal 450 3.4 Total 13191 92.8

Moore Enrolled 12217

Candidate Party Votes %

McNee LP 8497 77.9 Kirby ALP 2409 22.1 Formal 10906 97.4 Informal 291 2.6 Total 11197 91.7

Murdoch Enrolled 23453

Candidate Party Votes %

Lapthorne GRN 2705 13.1 Fitz ALP 5538 26.8 Board LP 12387 60.0 Formal 20630 96.2 Informal 805 3.8 Total 21435 91.4

Murray-Wellington Enrolled 13421

Candidate Party Votes %

Bradshaw LP 6401 54.7 Taylor AD 592 5.1 Bessant AFP 1006 8.6 Preston ALP 3513 30.0 McCarthy CEC 186 1.6 Formal 11698 95.3 Informal 579 4.7 Total 12277 91.5

Nedlands Enrolled 23604

Candidate Party Votes %

Barrett AD 1577 7.8 Parks IND 915 4.5 Roberts ALP 4015 19.9 Court LP 11429 56.6 Lockett GRN 2247 11.1 Formal 20183 97.3 Informal 556 2.7 Total 20739 87.9

Ningaloo Enrolled 10907

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Blinkhorn GRN 557 6.4 Day NP 1175 13.5 Sweetman LP 3133 36.0 Leahy ALP 3621 41.6 Bearham AD 218 2.5 Final Count Sweetman LP 4407 50.7 Leahy ALP 4288 49.3 Exhausted 9 Formal 8704 96.2 Informal 348 3.8 Total 9052 83.0

Nollamara Enrolled 23302

Candidate Party Votes %

Kobelke ALP 10493 53.9 Waghorn LP 7178 36.9 Roda AD 1801 9.2 Formal 19472 92.6 Informal 1566 7.4 Total 21038 90.3

Peel Enrolled 25587

Candidate Party Votes %

Hall IND 3817 17.6 Coombs AD 1100 5.1 Lewis GRN 1604 7.4 O'Malley LP 3573 16.5 Marlborough ALP 11605 53.5 Formal 21699 94.9 Informal 1161 5.1 Total 22860 89.3

Perth Enrolled 22141

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Davidson LP 6710 37.1 Conder IND 803 4.4 Jeffreys GRN 2087 11.5 Warnock ALP 8501 47.0 Final Count Davidson LP 7597 42.1 Warnock ALP 10461 57.9 Exhausted 43 Formal 18101 94.7 Informal 1008 5.3 Total 19109 86.3

Pilbara Enrolled 10335

Candidate Party Votes %

O'Donoghue NP 465 6.9 Palumbo LP 1964 29.3 Graham ALP 4284 63.8 Formal 6713 95.4 Informal 324 4.6 Total 7037 68.1

Riverton Enrolled 23560

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Lynx IND 570 2.7 Ross IND 3583 17.3 Speed AD 1083 5.2 van den Herik ALP 5847 28.2 Kierath LP 9686 46.6 Final Count van den Herik ALP 8957 43.3 Kierath LP 11746 56.7 Exhausted 66 Formal 20769 96.2 Informal 823 3.8 Total 21592 91.6

Rockingham Enrolled 23100

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Edwards AD 821 4.1 Brown LP 7029 34.9 Goodale GRN 1211 6.0 McGowan ALP 9759 48.5 Galletly IND 420 2.1 Schutte IND 195 1.0 McFetridge IND 681 3.4 Final Count Brown LP 8530 42.5 McGowan ALP 11531 57.5 Exhausted 55 Formal 20116 95.7 Informal 893 4.3 Total 21009 90.9

Roe Enrolled 13136

Candidate Party Votes %

Belton ALP 1217 10.4 Ainsworth NP 6286 53.6 Shearer IND 2304 19.6 Parker IND 1927 16.4 Formal 11734 97.7 Informal 281 2.3 Total 12015 91.5

Roleystone Enrolled 24322

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Hoyer ALP 6902 32.8 Tubby LP 10164 48.3 Hall GRN 2215 10.5 Bloomer AD 1742 8.3 Final Count Hoyer ALP 8960 42.8 Tubby LP 11994 57.2 Exhausted 69 Formal 21023 94.9 Informal 1125 5.1 Total 22148 91.1

South Perth Enrolled 23718

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Bryant ALP 4031 19.8 Pendal IND 8058 39.6 Thomson GRN 1473 7.2 Spencer LP 6764 33.3 Final Count Pendal IND 13045 64.2 Spencer LP 7270 35.8 Exhausted 11 Formal 20326 97.4 Informal 553 2.6 Total 20879 88.0

Southern River Enrolled 24960

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Holmes LP 9528 43.6 Dowsett IND 1449 6.6 Shave CTA 733 3.4 Dines AD 1226 5.6 Watson ALP 8912 40.8 Final Count Holmes LP 11234 51.5 Watson ALP 10574 48.5 Exhausted 40 Formal 21848 95.2 Informal 1111 4.8 Total 22959 92.0

Stirling Enrolled 12825

Candidate Party Votes %

Llewellyn GRN 1436 12.7 Christy ALP 1870 16.5 House NP 7569 66.7 Neggo AD 469 4.1 Formal 11344 96.4 Informal 425 3.6 Total 11769 91.8

Swan Hills Enrolled 23857

Candidate Party Votes %

Moxham AD 1696 8.1 Gunnyon ARP 589 2.8 Murray ALP 5701 27.1 Driver GRN 2266 10.8 van de Klashorst LP 10756 51.2 Formal 21008 96.1 Informal 862 3.9 Total 21870 91.7

Thornlie Enrolled 24256

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Brand LP 9077 43.1 McHale ALP 8853 42.1 Byrne GRN 1602 7.6 Bailey AD 1514 7.2 Final Count Brand LP 10191 48.5 McHale ALP 10815 51.5 Exhausted 40 Formal 21046 94.7 Informal 1174 5.3 Total 22220 91.6

Vasse Enrolled 14174

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Palmer IND 413 3.3 Morgan NP 2917 23.2 Sully IND 1261 10.0 Mullins ALP 2097 16.7 Masters LP 5433 43.2 Denman AD 451 3.6 Final Count Morgan NP 5116 40.8 Masters LP 7424 59.2 Exhausted 32 Formal 12572 96.4 Informal 476 3.6 Total 13048 92.1

Victoria Park Enrolled 24160

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Millar AD 1042 5.1 Collins IND 1015 5.0 Farren GRN 1289 6.3 Gallop ALP 9725 47.7 Stevenson LP 7313 35.9 Final Count Gallop ALP 11756 57.8 Stevenson LP 8570 42.2 Exhausted 58 Formal 20384 95.5 Informal 963 4.5 Total 21347 88.4

Wagin Enrolled 13250

Candidate Party Votes %

Robinson CEC 819 7.0 Wiese NP 8749 74.3 Hogan ALP 2213 18.8 Formal 11781 96.6 Informal 412 3.4 Total 12193 92.0

Wanneroo Enrolled 28721

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Grieves AD 1815 7.2 Prime ALP 10023 39.9 MacLean LP 11252 44.8 Castillo GRN 2011 8.0 Final Count Prime ALP 12123 48.4 MacLean LP 12919 51.6 Exhausted 59 Formal 25101 95.2 Informal 1266 4.8 Total 26367 91.8

Warren-Blackwood Enrolled 14624

Candidate Party Votes %

Oaks ALP 3198 24.6 Drake CEC 666 5.1 Johnston AD 1105 8.5 Omodei LP 8033 61.8 Formal 13002 96.5 Informal 467 3.5 Total 13469 92.1

Willagee Enrolled 23389

Candidate Party Votes %

Speed GRN 1765 8.7 Seman LP 7466 36.7 Carpenter ALP 10186 50.1 Trewin AD 915 4.5 Formal 20332 95.2 Informal 1025 4.8 Total 21357 91.3

Yokine Enrolled 24147

Candidate Party Votes %

First Count Clifford AD 976 4.7 Piantadosi IND 1116 5.4 Hames LP 9127 44.1 Herbert GRN 1094 5.3 Catania ALP 7698 37.2 Honan AMP 674 3.3 Final Count Hames LP 10987 53.2 Catania ALP 9663 46.8 Exhausted 35 Formal 20685 94.3 Informal 1127 5.7 Total 21812 90.3

Table 4 Legislative Assembly: Two Party Preferred Votes

Electoral District                 Number             Per cent      % Swing 
                               ALP     LP/NP       ALP      LP/NP    to ALP 
Albany                        4368      7096      38.1       61.9      -1.1 
Alfred Cove (a)               6541     14723      30.8       69.2      +1.9 
Armadale                     11732      9982      54.0       46.0      -1.0 
Avon                          3703      7435      33.2       66.8      -1.9 
Ballajura                    11419     11463      49.9       50.1      +1.5 
Bassendean                   12973      7945      62.0       38.0      +2.2 
Belmont                      11834      8736      57.5       42.5      +2.1 
Bunbury                       4993      6166      44.7       55.3      -5.0 
Burrup                        4828      4518      51.7       48.3      -9.7 
Carine (a)                    6765     14951      31.2       68.8      +1.1 
Churchlands (b)               n.a.      n.a.      n.a.       n.a.           
Cockburn                     12245      7976      60.6       39.4      +0.2 
Collie                        4779      6954      40.7       59.3      -0.9 
Cottesloe                     6268     14462      30.2       69.8      +2.2 
Darling Range                 7912     13390      37.1       62.9      +0.5 
Dawesville                    4947      7398      40.1       59.9      -5.3 
Eyre                          4908      3139      61.0       39.0      +2.8 
Fremantle                    12153      7662      61.3       38.7      +4.6 
Geraldton                     4468      5912      43.0       57.0      +2.8 
Girrawheen                   11966      7143      62.6       37.4      -0.9 
Greenough                     3172      8202      27.9       72.1      -0.4 
Hillarys                      9081     13544      40.1       59.9      -0.9 
Innaloo                       9489     11117      46.0       54.0      -1.4 
Joondalup                     9884     12318      44.5       55.5      -4.0 
Kalgoorlie                    5793      4859      54.4       45.6      -3.2 
Kimberley (c)                 n.a.      n.a.      n.a.       n.a.           
Kingsley                      8649     13104      39.8       60.2      +2.6 
Mandurah                      5215      5877      47.0       53.0      +1.2 
Maylands                     11549      8678      57.1       42.9      +3.0 
Merredin                      2203      9488      18.8       81.2      -1.1 
Midland                      11912     10032      54.3       45.7       0.0 
Mitchell                      5961      6774      46.8       53.2      -3.7 
Moore                         2409      8497      22.1       77.9      +0.7 
Murdoch                       7197     13401      34.9       65.1      +5.0 
Murray-Wellington             4434      7247      38.0       62.0      -1.7 
Nedlands                      7073     13054      35.1       64.9      +5.4 
Ningaloo                      4288      4407      49.3       50.7      -1.9 
Nollamara                    11449      7998      58.9       41.1      +0.5 
Peel (a)                     13238      8385      61.2       38.8      -2.7 
Perth                        10461      7597      57.9       42.1      +4.1 
Pilbara                       4407      2300      65.7       34.3      -2.4 
Riverton                      8957     11746      43.3       56.7      +4.2 
Rockingham                   11531      8530      57.5       42.5      +3.4 
Roe (a)                       2011      9709      17.2       82.8      -0.8 
Roleystone                    8960     11994      42.8       57.2      -1.7 
South Perth (a)               6840     13404      33.8       66.2      +0.4 
Southern River               10574     11234      48.5       51.5      -4.1 
Stirling                      2932      8395      25.9       74.1      +3.1 
Swan Hills                    8430     12505      40.3       59.7      -0.2 
Thornlie                     10815     10191      51.5       48.5      -1.2 
Vasse (a)                     3802      8745      30.3       69.7      +0.6 
Victoria Park                11756      8570      57.8       42.2      +3.0 
Wagin                         2504      9270      21.3       78.7      -0.5 
Wanneroo                     12123     12919      48.4       51.6      -0.5 
Warren-Blackwood              4276      8721      32.9       67.1      +2.3 
Willagee                     11919      8367      58.8       41.2      +6.8 
Yokine                        9663     10987      46.8       53.2      -2.6 

Total                       423759    509217      45.4       54.6      +0.8 
(a) Estimated by Western Australian Electoral Commission.   
(b) No LP candidate. 
(c) No ALP candidate.

Table 5 Legislative Assembly: Electoral Pendulum


District                      Swing to       District                       Swing to 
                                  Lose                                          Lose 
                                     %                                             %
LP/NP Seats                                  ALP Seats              
Roe (NP)                          32.8       Pilbara                            15.7 
Merredin (NP)                     31.2       Girrawheen                         12.6 
Wagin (NP)                        28.7       Bassendean                         12.0 
Moore                             27.9       Fremantle                          11.3 
Stirling (NP)                     24.1       Peel                               11.2 
Greenough                         22.1       Eyre                               11.0 
Cottesloe                         19.8       Cockburn                           10.6 
Vasse                             19.7       Nollamara                           8.9 
Alfred Cove                       19.2       Willagee                            8.8 
Carine                            18.8       Perth                               7.9 
Warren-Blackwood                  17.1       Victoria Park                       7.8 
Avon (NP)                         16.8       Rockingham                          7.5 
South Perth (IND)                 16.2       Belmont                             7.5 
Murdoch                           15.1       Maylands                            7.1 
Nedlands                          14.9       Kalgoorlie                          4.4 
Darling Range                     12.9       Midland                             4.3 
Murray-Wellington                 12.0       Armadale                            4.0 
Albany                            11.9       Burrup                              1.7 
Kingsley                          10.2       Thornlie                            1.5 
Dawesville                         9.9                                               
Hillarys                           9.9                                               
Swan Hills                         9.7                                               
Collie (NP)                        9.3                                               
Roleystone                         7.2                                               
Geraldton                          7.0                                               
Riverton                           6.7                                               
Joondalup                          5.5                                               
Bunbury                            5.3                                               
Innaloo                            4.0                                               
Mitchell                           3.2                                               
Yokine                             3.2                                               
Mandurah                           3.0                                               
Wanneroo                           1.6                                               
Southern River                     1.5                                               
Ningaloo                           0.7                                               
Ballajura                          0.1                                               
(a)  Post 1996 election      
Note:  Excludes Churchlands (IND) and Kimberley (IND) where two-party preferred vote has not been calculated.

Table 6 Legislative Council: State Summary

                                                                Enrolled 1119992 
                         Candidates Seats Won           First           Change From    
                                                     Preference       1993 Election   
                                                       Votes                        
                                                  Number      Per    Seats  % Votes 
                                                             cent                   
Liberal and National                                                             
Parties                                                                          
  Liberal/National Party(a)      18        8     117 211    11.97                   
  Liberal Party                  22        9     332 613    33.97                   
  National Party                  3                5 087     0.52                   
    Total                        43       17     454 911    46.46       -1    -3.13 
Australian Labor Party           32       12     323 824    33.07       -2    -3.75 
Australian Democrats             12        2      64 499     6.59       +2    +3.58 
The Greens (WA)                   9        3      54 355     5.55       +2    +0.39 
Australian Marijuana Party        5               24 380     2.49             +2.49 
Call to Australia                 4                6 675     0.68             +0.41 
Australia First Party             2                5 856     0.60             +0.60 
Natural Law Party                12                5 512     0.56             +0.54 
RACISM NO!                        2                1 954     0.20             +0.20 
Others                            8               37 261     3.81       -1    -1.33 

Formal                                           979 227    97.00             +0.74 
Informal                                          30 392     3.00             -0.74 

Total                           129       34   1 009 619    90.12             -3.55 
(a)  Joint ticket

Table 7 Legislative Council: Region Summary

Region                                    First Preference Votes                Formal  Informal      Total  Electors 
                             LP/NP       ALP        AD        GRN       Oth      Votes     Votes      Votes  Enrolled 
                                                              Number          
Agricultural                 54179     17917      5252                 1733      79081      2646      81727     89777 
Mining and Pastoral          23722     25070      2620                  828      52240      1431      53671     68271 
East Metropolitan            88820     79200     14808      11852     24610     219290      7441     226731    247444 
North Metropolitan          138852     92471     22961      19097     25834     299215      8831     308046    341414 
South Metropolitan           86306     75400     13533      14378     19489     209106      6269     215375    238143 
South West                   63032     33766      5325       9028      9144     120295      3774     124069    134943 
  Total                     454911    323824     64499      54355     81638     979227     30392    1009619   1119992 

                                                            Per cent         
Agricultural                  68.5      22.7       6.6        0.0       2.2       96.8       3.2       91.0           
Mining and Pastoral           45.4      48.0       5.0        0.0       1.6       97.3       2.7       78.6           
East Metropolitan             40.5      36.1       6.8        5.4      11.2       96.7       3.3       91.6           
North Metropolitan            46.4      30.9       7.7        6.4       8.6       97.1       2.9       90.2           
South Metropolitan            41.3      36.1       6.5        6.9       9.3       97.1       2.9       90.4           
South West                    52.4      28.1       4.4        7.5       7.6       97.0       3.0       91.9           
  Total                       46.5      33.1       6.6        5.6       8.3       97.0       3.0       90.1           
Note:  The Liberal and National Parties ran a joint ticket in the Agricultural and South West Regions. They ran separate 
tickets in the Mining and Pastoral Region, and the National Party did not contest the Metropolitan Regions.

Table 8 Legislative Council: Region Details

Agricultural                                            Enrolled 89777 
Party          Candidate                         Votes        Per cent 
LP/NP          Ticket vote                       49193           62.21 
LP/NP          Donaldson           Elected 1      2878            3.64 
LP/NP          Charlton            Elected 3       946            1.20 
LP/NP          Nixon               Elected 4       158            0.20 
LP/NP          Criddle             Elected 5       418            0.53 
LP/NP          Weller                               99            0.13 
LP/NP          Dexter                              132            0.17 
LP/NP          Fels                                 65            0.08 
LP/NP          Morrell                             290            0.37 
LP/NP            Total                           54179           68.51 

ALP            Ticket vote                       16119           20.38 
ALP            Chance              Elected 2      1394            1.76 
ALP            Piercey                             174            0.22 
ALP            Helm                                230            0.29 
ALP              Total                           17917           22.66 

AD             Ticket vote                        4326            5.47 
AD             Logie                               747            0.94 
AD             Taylor                              179            0.23 
AD               Total                            5252            6.64 

LAW            Ticket vote                        1339            1.69 
LAW            Nelson                              182            0.23 
LAW            Leishman                            212            0.27 
LAW              Total                            1733            2.19 

               Formal                            79081           96.76 
               Informal                           2646            3.24 
               Total                             81727           91.03

Mining and Pastoral                                     Enrolled 68271 
Party          Candidate                         Votes        Per cent 
ALP            Ticket vote                       23301           44.60 
ALP            Stephens            Elected 1      1112            2.13 
ALP            Nevill              Elected 3       278            0.53 
ALP            Helm                Elected 5       207            0.40 
ALP            McKerrow                             51            0.10 
ALP            Ford                                 59            0.11 
ALP            Porteous                             62            0.12 
ALP              Total                           25070           47.99 

NP             Ticket vote                        4546            8.70 
NP             Maslen                              408            0.78 
NP             Cable                                94            0.18 
NP             Williams                             39            0.07 
NP               Total                            5087            9.74 

LP             Ticket vote                       17912           34.29 
LP             Moore               Elected 2       470            0.90 
LP             Smith               Elected 4        71            0.14 
LP             Baston                               79            0.15 
LP             Moss                                 37            0.07 
LP             Fawcett                              66            0.13 
LP               Total                           18635           35.67 

AD             Ticket vote                        2192            4.20 
AD             Turney                              378            0.72 
AD             du Bignon                            50            0.10 
AD               Total                            2620            5.02 

LAW            Ticket vote                         697            1.33 
LAW            Maher                                72            0.14 
LAW            Andrews                              59            0.11 
LAW              Total                             828            1.58 

               Formal                            52240           97.33 
               Informal                           1431            2.67 
               Total                             53671           78.62

East Metropolitan                                      Enrolled 247444 
Party          Candidate                         Votes        Per cent 
CTA            Ticket vote                        4015            1.83 
CTA            Goiran                             1057            0.48 
CTA            Gans                                 92            0.04 
CTA              Total                            5164            2.35 

ALP            Ticket vote                       75868           34.60 
ALP            Griffiths           Elected 2      1997            0.91 
ALP            Ravlich             Elected 4       207            0.09 
ALP            Doust                               325            0.15 
ALP            Saunders                            372            0.17 
ALP            George                              223            0.10 
ALP            Sulc                                208            0.09 
ALP              Total                           79200           36.12 

LAW            Ticket vote                         695            0.32 
LAW            Nielsen                             112            0.05 
LAW            Roberts                              28            0.01 
LAW              Total                             835            0.38 

GRN            Ticket vote                        9988            4.55 
GRN            Skinner                            1675            0.76 
GRN            Dierden                             189            0.09 
GRN              Total                           11852            5.40 

AD             Ticket vote                       12557            5.73 
AD             Kelly               Elected 5      1768            0.81 
AD             Ward                                483            0.22 
AD               Total                           14808            6.75 

LP             Ticket vote                       86288           39.35 
LP             Foss                Elected 1      1659            0.76 
LP             Tomlinson           Elected 3       233            0.11 
LP             Bruining                            114            0.05 
LP             Murphy                              109            0.05 
LP             McConnell                           417            0.19 
LP               Total                           88820           40.50 

IND            Ticket vote                        9931            4.53 
IND            Harris                             1552            0.71 
IND              Total                           11483            5.24 

AMP            Ticket vote                        6111            2.79 
AMP            Schneider                          1017            0.46 
AMP              Total                            7128            3.25 

               Formal                           219290           96.72 
               Informal                           7441            3.28 
               Total                            226731           91.63

North Metropolitan                                     Enrolled 341414 
Party          Candidate                         Votes        Per cent 
AD             Ticket vote                       18776            6.28 
AD             Hodgson             Elected 6      3980            1.33 
AD             Crabbe                              205            0.07 
AD               Total                           22961            7.67 

LP             Ticket vote                      135400           45.25 
LP             Cash                Elected 1      2185            0.73 
LP             Evans               Elected 3       338            0.11 
LP             Lightfoot           Elected 5       280            0.09 
LP             Halligan                            127            0.04 
LP             Tinley                               64            0.02 
LP             Goudie                              252            0.08 
LP             Sutherland                          206            0.07 
LP               Total                          138852           46.41 

ALP            Ticket vote                       88185           29.47 
ALP            Dermer              Elected 2      2731            0.91 
ALP            Travers             Elected 4       244            0.08 
ALP            Cuomo                               238            0.08 
ALP            Agocs                               161            0.05 
ALP            O'Connor                            488            0.16 
ALP            Galea                               424            0.14 
ALP              Total                           92471           30.90 

LAW            Ticket vote                         956            0.32 
LAW            Kailis                              229            0.08 
LAW            Kailis                               39            0.01 
LAW              Total                            1224            0.41 

IND            Ticket vote                        9933            3.32 
IND            Davies                             1676            0.56 
IND            Davies                               71            0.02 
IND              Total                           11680            3.90 

GRN            Ticket vote                       15943            5.33 
GRN            Watson              Elected 7      2883            0.96 
GRN            Chapple                             271            0.09 
GRN              Total                           19097            6.38 

IND            Ticket vote                        2204            0.74 
IND            Burke                               247            0.08 
IND            Samuel                              110            0.04 
IND              Total                            2561            0.86 

AMP            Ticket vote                        7383            2.47 
AMP            Huntley                            1095            0.37 
AMP            Solonec                             196            0.07 
AMP              Total                            8674            2.90 

AFP            Ticket vote                        1251            0.42 
AFP            Rieben                              444            0.15 
AFP              Total                            1695            0.57 

               Formal                           299215           97.13 
               Informal                           8831            2.87 
               Total                            308046           90.23

South Metropolitan                                     Enrolled 238143 
Party          Candidate                         Votes        Per cent 
IND            Ticket vote                        6998            3.35 
IND            Grossmith                          1113            0.53 
IND            Grossmith                           164            0.08 
IND              Total                            8275            3.96 

GRN            Ticket vote                       11857            5.67 
GRN            Scott               Elected 5      2013            0.96 
GRN            Jenkins                             508            0.24 
GRN              Total                           14378            6.88 

RN             Ticket vote                        1439            0.69 
RN             Isaacs                              411            0.20 
RN             Pradhan                             104            0.05 
RN               Total                            1954            0.93 

AD             Ticket vote                       11286            5.40 
AD             Miller                             1416            0.68 
AD             de la Hunty                         831            0.40 
AD               Total                           13533            6.47 

ALP            Ticket vote                       72297           34.57 
ALP            Halden              Elected 2      1919            0.92 
ALP            Davenport           Elected 4       515            0.25 
ALP            Donegan                             206            0.10 
ALP            Giffard                             126            0.06 
ALP            Buckley                              94            0.04 
ALP            Fitzgerald                          243            0.12 
ALP              Total                           75400           36.06 

LP             Ticket vote                       84023           40.18 
LP             O'Brien             Elected 1      1232            0.59 
LP             Scott               Elected 3       450            0.22 
LP             Bacich                              203            0.10 
LP             Waghorn                             136            0.07 
LP             Jarvis                              262            0.13 
LP               Total                           86306           41.27 

LAW            Ticket vote                         489            0.23 
LAW            Hollings                            100            0.05 
LAW            Norman                               32            0.02 
LAW              Total                             621            0.30 

AMP            Ticket vote                        4597            2.20 
AMP            de Garis                            780            0.37 
AMP              Total                            5377            2.57 

IND            Ticket vote                        2590            1.24 
IND            Aubrey                              672            0.32 
IND              Total                            3262            1.56 

               Formal                           209106           97.09 
               Informal                           6269            2.91 
               Total                            215375           90.44

South West                                             Enrolled 134943 
Party          Candidate                         Votes        Per cent 
LP/NP          Ticket vote                       59257           49.26 
LP/NP          House               Elected 1      2972            2.47 
LP/NP          Stretch             Elected 3        77            0.06 
LP/NP          Patterson           Elected 5       107            0.09 
LP/NP          Montgomery          Elected 6       193            0.16 
LP/NP          Silcock                             178            0.15 
LP/NP          McSweeney                            54            0.04 
LP/NP          Beatty                               47            0.04 
LP/NP          McLeod                               61            0.05 
LP/NP          Thomas                               30            0.02 
LP/NP          Hallett                              56            0.05 
LP/NP            Total                           63032           52.40 

AD             Ticket vote                        4515            3.75 
AD             McKercher                           723            0.60 
AD             van Noort                            87            0.07 
AD               Total                            5325            4.43 

GRN            Ticket vote                        7582            6.30 
GRN            Sharp               Elected 7      1258            1.05 
GRN            Schur                                77            0.06 
GRN            Howard                              111            0.09 
GRN              Total                            9028            7.50 

ALP            Ticket vote                       31846           26.47 
ALP            Thomas              Elected 2      1514            1.26 
ALP            Cowdell             Elected 4       161            0.13 
ALP            Anderson                             99            0.08 
ALP            Elson                                77            0.06 
ALP            De Jager                             69            0.06 
ALP              Total                           33766           28.07 

CTA            Ticket vote                        1196            0.99 
CTA            Moseley                             281            0.23 
CTA            Sugg                                 34            0.03 
CTA              Total                            1511            1.26 

LAW            Ticket vote                         226            0.19 
LAW            Sandwell                             36            0.03 
LAW            Clairs                                9            0.01 
LAW              Total                             271            0.23 

AFP            Ticket vote                        3497            2.91 
AFP            Amella                              664            0.55 
AFP              Total                            4161            3.46 

AMP            Ticket vote                        2705            2.25 
AMP            Roth                                496            0.41 
AMP              Total                            3201            2.66 

               Formal                           120295           96.96 
               Informal                           3774            3.04 
               Total                            124069           91.94

Table 9 Legislative Assembly By-elections 1994-1996

Glendalough (19.3.94)                              Enrolled 22720 
Candidate                    Party     Votes         %      Swing 
First Count                                                       
Conder                         IND       119       0.7       +0.7 
Campbell                       IND       142       0.8       -1.6 
Roberts                        ALP      7486      43.4       -2.0 
Jackson                        GRN      1199       6.9       +2.7 
Murray                         IND        94       0.5       +0.5 
Hands                           RA        39       0.2       +0.2 
Saunders                        LP      6908      40.0       -0.5 
Cranley                        IND      1033       6.0       +6.0 
Brown                          IND       134       0.8       +0.8 
Connolly                       DRP        39       0.2       +0.2 
Ratcliffe                      GPR        66       0.4       +0.4 

Final Count                                                       
Roberts                        ALP      9099      52.7        0.0 
Saunders                        LP      8160      47.3        0.0 

Formal                                 17259      95.6       +0.8 
Informal                                 786       4.4       -0.8 
Total                                  18045      79.4      -13.6 



Helena (10.9.94)                                   Enrolled 23080 
Candidate                    Party     Votes         %      Swing 
First Count                                                       
Connolly                       DRP       137       0.8       +0.8 
Bussell                        IND        78       0.4       +0.4 
Bullock                        ALP      6823      38.5       -4.8 
Schneider                      IND       578       3.3       +3.3 
Talbot                         IND       310       1.7       +1.7 
Parker                          LP      8185      46.2       +1.7 
Rossiter                       CAP       366       2.1       +2.1 
Johnston                       GRN      1256       7.1       +0.7 

Final Count                                                       
Bullock                        ALP      8496      47.9       -2.3 
Parker                          LP      9237      52.1       +2.3 

Formal                                 17733      96.1       +0.2 
Informal                                 718       3.9       -0.2 
Total                                  18451      79.9      -14.6 



Kalgoorlie (16.3.96)                               Enrolled 11351 
Candidate                    Party     Votes         %      Swing 
First Count                                                       
Anwyl                          ALP      4223      45.5       -7.2 
Delbridge                      IND       378       4.1       +4.1 
Thackrah                        AD       158       1.7       +1.7 
McGay                           LP      3550      38.2       +3.5 
Churches                       IND        33       0.4       +0.4 
McMahon                        GRN       282       3.0       +3.0 
Renton                         IND       665       7.2       +7.2 

Final Count                                                       
Anwyl                          ALP      5055      54.4       -3.3 
McGay                           LP      4234      45.6       +3.3 

Formal                                  9289      97.0       +0.7 
Informal                                 283       3.0       -0.7 
Total                                   9572      84.3       -8.8

Table 10 Legislative Assembly Elections 1950-1996


Election      ALP      LP     NP      AD     DLP     Grn     Oth    Total      ALP      LP/NP 
                                    First Preference Votes-%                Two Party Votes-%   
1950         41.8    38.3   10.8                             9.0    100.0     46.4       53.6 
1953         49.8    39.6    3.2                             7.5    100.0     50.0       50.0 
1956         48.8    31.3    5.2                            14.7    100.0     51.4       48.6 
1959         43.9    35.9    6.9             5.2             8.1    100.0     46.4       53.6 
1962         44.4    40.4    5.9             2.3             7.0    100.0     48.1       51.9 
1965         42.6    48.0    4.9             0.9             3.5    100.0     45.4       54.6 
1968         45.3    43.2    5.1             3.3             3.2    100.0     48.5       51.5 
1971         48.9    29.1    5.6            10.7             5.7    100.0     51.6       48.4 
1974         48.1    40.3   10.8                             0.8    100.0     50.0       50.0 
1977         44.2    49.4    5.3                             1.1    100.0     45.4       54.6 
1980         45.9    43.7    4.3     2.0                     4.1    100.0     48.7       51.3 
1983         53.2    39.9    3.4     0.8                     2.8    100.0     54.6       45.4 
1986         53.0    41.3    3.7     0.7                     1.3    100.0     54.3       45.7 
1989         42.5    42.8    4.6     1.4                     8.7    100.0     47.5       52.5 
1993         37.1    44.1    5.3     2.3             4.3     6.8    100.0     44.6       55.4 
1996         35.8    39.9    5.8     5.1             4.7     8.7    100.0     45.4       54.6 

                                              Seats Won                                            

1950           23      15      9                               3       50                     
1953           26      15      9                                       50                     
1956           29      11      8                               2       50                     
1959           23      17      8                               2       50                     
1962           24      18      8                                       50                     
1965           21      21      8                                       50                     
1968           23      19      9                                       51                     
1971           26      17      8                                       51                     
1974           22      23      6                                       51                     
1977           22      27      6                                       55                     
1980           23      26      3                               3       55                     
1983           32      20      3                               2       57                     
1986           32      19      6                                       57                     
1989           31      20      6                                       57                     
1993           24      26      6                               1       57                     
1996           19      29      6                               3       57

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Index

Background Paper 15 1996-97
Western Australian Elections 1996

Gerard Newman
Statistics Group
19 June 1997

Contents

Abbreviations and Symbols

Introduction

The Campaign

The Result

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Endnotes

Table 1 Legislative Assembly: State Summary

Table 2a Legislative Assembly: District Summary

Table 2b Legislative Assembly: District Summary

Table 3 Legislative Assembly: District Details

Table 4 Legislative Assembly: Two Party Preferred Votes

Table 5 Legislative Assembly: Electoral Pendulum

Table 6 Legislative Council: State Summary

Table 7 Legislative Council: Region Summary

Table 8 Legislative Council: Region Details

Table 9 Legislative Assembly By-elections 1994-1996

Table 10 Legislative Assembly Elections 1950-1996

Background Paper 15 1996-97 Western Australian Elections 1996

Gerard Newman Statistics Group 19 June 1997

Contents

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Endnotes

Background Paper 15 1996-97
Western Australian Elections 1996

Gerard Newman
Statistics Group
19 June 1997