Australian Premier Seeks Vote Delay Amid Falling Labor Support

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (second left) is seen walking with WA Premier Roger Cook (left), former WA Premier Mark McGowan, and Labor candidate for Rockingham Magenta Marshall (right) during a walk around Rockingham centre in Rockingham, south of Perth, Australia, on July 8, 2023. AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, who leads the State’s Labor government, says he will seek legal advice on rescheduling the state election, currently set for March 8, to avoid a potential overlap with a federal election, if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese decides to go to the polls early.

Political observers say Cook is concerned that if he faces the electorate first, he may suffer due to declining support for Albanese and the federal Labor government.

A Newspoll in October revealed that the Prime Minister’s net approval ratings have hit a new low, with Coalition Leader Peter Dutton’s moving ahead.

Both leaders achieved a satisfaction rating of 40 percent, but Albanese’s disapproval rose one point to 55 percent, giving him an overall score of minus-15, while Dutton’s came in at 51 percent, giving him a more favourable net approval rating of minus-11.

The poll also gave the Coalition a 51 to 49 percent two-party-preferred lead over Labor, indicating a possible minority Labor government if trends continue.

Whether Cook can uncouple himself from Albanese will depend on his Liberal rival Libby Mettam. The WA Electoral Act allows for postponement in “exceptional circumstances,” provided the Premier and State Opposition Leader agree.

It also prohibits a state election from occurring on the same day as a federal election.

Labor Dominates in the West

Cook’s party dominates WA’s Legislative Assembly, with 53 seats to the Liberals’ three, with another three held by the Nationals. This has led some within Labor to say the Premier is being overly cautious.

Mettam, however, will be hoping that growing discontent in WA towards Albanese and his government can win them back the four seats they lost to Labor in 2022 when it was led by Mark McGowan.

With analysts saying those four seats are potentially crucial to the outcome of the federal election, the timing of both events means the stakes are high for both sides of politics.

Coalition Leader Peter Dutton said holding a federal election in March or earlier would be at odds with Albanese’s previous commitments.

“If there is a secret discussion or deal going on with the WA premier, I think the prime minister should be open about it because he has looked the Australian public in the eye before and said he would go full term,” Dutton said.

“If the Prime Minister is proposing an early election which requires the March date in WA to be moved, he needs to explain why.”