Shoppers in Perth may have been surprised to see Peter Dutton, along with former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, making appearances in Western Australia as part of the Liberal Party's efforts to gain support in the region. The visit of these high-profile figures signals a strategic move by the Coalition to strengthen their presence in WA and address the losses suffered in the previous federal election.
The Liberal Party's recent focus on Western Australia stems from the disappointing outcomes in the 2022 Federal Election, where they experienced a decline in support, losing seats to the Labor Party. Key seats like Pearce and Curtin, which were previously held by the Liberals, shifted to Labor and an independent candidate, highlighting the challenges faced by the party in the state. The popularity of the Mark McGowan government in WA was acknowledged as a contributing factor to the Liberals' losses, prompting reflections on the need to address this political landscape shift.
John Howard and Tony Abbott expressed confidence in the Liberal Party's prospects in the upcoming federal election, emphasizing the changing circumstances since the previous state and federal elections in Western Australia. Despite the skepticism from WA's current premier towards the impact of the Liberal delegation, figures like Peter Dutton voiced enthusiasm about the party's policies and the focus on addressing Western Australia's priorities. With significant resources being invested in campaigns and star power being mobilized, the Liberal Party is determined to win back support in both the state and national elections, banking on a momentum observed in other states like Queensland and the Northern Territory. The upcoming state election in WA presents an opportunity for the Liberals to make a comeback, with leaders like Libby Mettam outlining key priorities such as healthcare, law and order, cost of living, and housing issues in their campaign strategies. The optimism surrounding the party's potential gains in the state election is tempered with cautious optimism, acknowledging the unpredictability of electoral outcomes and drawing on past political shifts in the region.