Darling Range likely to fall to Labor

WA Labor candidate Hugh Jones was met with a round of applause as he entered a gathering of party members in Perth's south-east this evening after being declared the candidate most likely to secure the seat of Darling Range - the last remaining Liberal Party WA seat in the east metropolitan fortress.

The seat has been held by shadow small business spokesperson Alyssa Hayden since the Darling Range by-election in 2018, one she held with a margin of 3.5 per cent following the resignation of disgraced Labor MP Barry Urban.

But so far the polls show Mr Jones winning with 61.6 per cent of the vote on a two-party-preferred basis, representing a wing of 5.5 per cent.

Mrs Hayden has not yet conceded. 

Like a suite of other WA Labor hopefuls, Mr Jones has benefited from the unprecedented popularity of Premier Mark McGowan in the wake of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But WA Labor had also made a number of major election promises in the area, including the METRONET Byford Rail Extension and a $30 million Health Hub for the ever-growing Byford area, promises Mr Jones said he would be thrilled to play a part in delivering.

This evening, the former City of Armadale councillor admitted that he was skeptical about his chances of a win tonight, but that he would be delighted to join a strong government.

“I was surprised, to some extent,” he told Business News.

“I was a little concerned, because I felt that during the pre-poll there wasn’t an overwhelming indication of how I was going.

“I was always skeptical as to whether I’d win Darling Range and I certainly wasn’t expecting this.

“What a great night for WA Labor - a strong victory for a strong government, and one I’m proud to say I’ll be joining.”

Mr Jones praised his predecessor for having worked hard for her electorate, but said the result vindicated Premier Mark McGowan’s handling of the pandemic.

“Alyssa Hayden was quite popular, and she worked hard for her electorate,” he said.

“As far as the overall results, it just vindicates the job that Premier Mark McGowan and the WA Labor government has done.

“It’s proof that WA Labor has done a good job and that there was no credible opposition."

The win would mean that Labor has reclaimed power of the east metropolitan region, with Member for Armadale Tony Buti, Member for Southern River Terry Healy, Member for Thornlie Chris Tallentire, and Member for Jandakot Yaz Mubarakai all safely securing second terms.