The Greens have won the balance of power in the Western Australian Legislative Council, denying a vital avenue of power to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
The result is a bonus to the new Premier, Geoff Gallop, following his landslide win in the Legislative Assembly.
The outcome is also indicative of the extent to which the ALP’s win in the election is the product of a strong preference flow from the Greens and, to a lesser extent, the Australian Democrats.
Feb 11 – 2.30am – Western Australian Premier Richard Court has conceded defeat in yesterday’s State election, whilst Geoff Gallop has proclaimed the ALP the “party of the people”.
The ALP appears to have won an additional 16 seats in the election, 5 more than required for victory.
A resurgent One Nation has won around 10% of the statewide vote, and up to 30% in some rural electorates.
The ALP’s two-party-preferred vote is around 53%, the beneficiary of a One Nation decision to preference against sitting members.
One Nation looks set to win 3 seats in the Legislative Council and may hold the balance of power. [Read more…]