Labor tipped to secure 22 upper house seats

For the first time in the state’s history, the progressive parties may hold the majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament, with the WA Labor Party tipped to secure as many as 22 of the 36 seats in the Legislative Council.

It has been just four weeks since the Liberal Party WA changed its election strategy, with opposition leader Zak Kirkup working to shore-up its seats by warning voters against giving Labor “total control” of both houses of parliament.

The warnings came amid polling showing the government leading the Liberals 68-32 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

Premier Mark McGowan had downplayed the possibility of WA Labor gaining a majority in the upper house, but the party's landslide victory tonight may see the Liberal Party WA's fears realised.

In a record-breaking win, WA Labor has secured at least 49 of the 59 lower house seats and is now tipped to gain eight seats in the upper house - three more than it needed to take “total control”.

The Liberal Party is expected to drop from nine seats to six, while the Nationals are expected to retain their four.

The simple majority in the upper house is 18, but with the governing party expected to supply the chamber’s president, who doesn’t usually vote on matters before the house, the party needed 19 seats to take control.

The result is not expected to be known for at least a week.

More to come.