There’ll be a fair few eyes on Darling Range as voters head to the ballot boxes on Saturday.
During the 2021 election, which saw Labor wipe the floor with the Opposition off the back of a strong COVID response and the Mark ‘State Daddy’ McGowan effect, Hugh Jones became the second Labor candidate to ever win Darling Range.
And, like his Labor predecessor, he did so convincingly, with 56.9 percent of the primary vote, to the incumbent Alyssa Hayden’s (Liberal) 27.6 percent.
Hugh Jones is now the first Labor MP to have ever completed a full term as the member for Darling Range, and he has been generally well-liked throughout his term, with people from Clifton Hills to Keysbrook singing his praises.
But for many folks, especially down the southern end of the shire, Labor is decidedly on the nose this time around. And the electorate has now shifted further south after redistribution.
The pendulum was bound to swing back in the opposite direction after such a profound victory for Labor last time. But there are several key Labor policies that have ruffled feathers for voters in the peri-urban and rural fringe, most notably the kerfuffle around the Aboriginal Heritage Act, and their gun reforms – two issues which have both erupted in fresh stoushes in recent weeks.
Local environment defenders have also been disgusted by the disregard for the independent environmental regulator, its own departmental advice, and expert scientific and economic analysis shown by the Labor government when recently approving mining plans.
And there are plenty who have voiced their opinion that Labor has squandered its unprecedented majority and financial surplus on too many competing big ticket infrastructure projects while not enough attention has been paid to fixing service deficits in health and policing, or easing the housing and cost-of-living crises.
It will also be interesting to see how federal Labor’s growing unpopularity affects this Saturday’s vote.
Having said that, many are also bemoaning the lack of a credible opposition, with in-fighting and rogue candidates stealing the limelight from election promises.
For the first time ever, The Nationals WA are taking a tilt at Darling Range with Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale councillor Morgan Byas as their candidate. This will undoubtedly split the primary vote for the Opposition, with the Liberals’ Paul Mansfield also running for Darling Range. But by how much? Only time will tell.
All things considered, Darling Range is very much ‘in play’ and the seat has a very good chance of being won on preferences on Saturday.
Election analysts are also predicting a rise in minor party, independent and protest votes.
And this election there are five alternatives to the majors in Darling Range: Robert Peters (Legalise Cannabis Party WA), Liam John Heerema (One Nation), Quintin Kleyn (Australian Christians), Ian Blevin (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party WA), and Dominic Firmager (Greens).
Good luck to all candidates.
