Josh Wilson has emerged victorious in the Fremantle electorate following a tense few days of vote counting against independent candidate Kate Hulett. In a very competitive race, Wilson edged out Hulett to victory. This outcome serves as a powerful reminder of the quickly evolving political terrain in Western Australia’s tradition of highly competitive elections.
The Wilson, formerly the sitting Member of Parliament for Fremantle, took almost 40 percent of the primary vote. By contrast, Hulett received a little over 23 percent – a historic difference between the two candidates. In an unusual move, the Australian Electoral Commission went ahead with its two-party preferred count at 44 polling places. Wilson’s lead kept increasing, solidifying his win.
Hulett did well in the polling places located in the heart of Fremantle, showing her deep local roots and support. Wilson’s appeal went much deeper into the outer suburbs, where he drew more preference votes from other candidates’ voters. This geographic divide proved to be a decisive factor in determining the outcome of the election.
Campaign Developments
The 2015 race for Fremantle was a hard-fought campaign. Hulett, who came within 500 votes of unseating state minister Simone McGurk in the March state election, stoked the enthusiasm. The previous campaign was all about getting votes in hand. It led to some necessary conversations about representation and how best to serve the needs of our community.
Even in her concession speech, Hulett stressed the significance of the campaign. She called it a “great win for the Fremantle community.” Her recognition and validation of the community’s voice is something that many humbled and hurt community residents experienced – wanting commitment, transparency and answers from their elected officials.
“Twice in two months we have shown Labor what happens when they take Fremantle for granted. They won’t make that mistake again.” – Source Unknown
This feeling perfectly summarizes the developing frustration felt by countless voters with the shortfalls of the Labor party strategy to address their needs and issues.
Future Implications
The outcome in Fremantle could have significant long-term consequences for either major party in Western Australia. In the wake of Wilson’s upset win, arguments over electoral tactics are heating up inside the Liberal Party. WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas has taken a pledge to improve the number of women in his party.
Moreover, adding fuel to the fire of speculation about imminent political change has been Colin Barnett (Liberal), former Premier of Western Australia. He advocates for the merger of the Liberal and National parties at the state level, arguing that it would eliminate unnecessary competition and confusion among voters.
“I think it is well and truly the time for the Liberal and National parties to merge, initially at the state Western Australia level.” – Colin Barnett
Barnett decried the status quo as the most pernicious kind of misallocation of taxpayer resources. He called on the various conservative elements to combine their forces and improve their electoral standing.
Ongoing Contests
While Wilson’s victory is a huge moment for Labor in Fremantle, many other races are still playing out across the state. The final fate of the Bullwinkel electorate remains unclear. Labor’s Trish Cook leads narrowly, barely 178 votes in front. This narrow contest underscores the deepening political fault-lines and increasing likelihood that power balances in Western Australia may continue to change.
As both major parties assess their strategies following recent elections, it is clear that every seat, including Fremantle, holds significant weight in shaping future governance. In this still fluid electoral landscape, voters across the state are hungry for change and willing to hold their representatives accountable.
