Politics is getting personal in Secret Harbour where immigration rates, the cost-of-living, housing and health are fuelling voter anger and indecision despite Labor’s aggressive and big-spending campaign.
The names mentioned most by voters on Friday were Anthony Albanese and Pauline Hanson, even though they won’t appear on ballot papers at the August 29 State by-election.
“I voted Labor last time, I don’t want to this time. I just don’t really like Anthony Albanese,” small business owner and mother-of-three Tammy Stone said.
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Premier Roger Cook and his deputy Rita Saffioti were singled out too, when The West Australian spent four hours chatting to businesses and door-knocking in Madora Bay, Singleton, Lakelands and Port Kennedy.
“Albanese, and Cook’s the same,” Lakelands voter Mark Hopkins said. He’s planning to vote One Nation, and cited immigration as his biggest concern.
“We can’t look after our own, much less bringing in 350,000 people last year, and we’ve got streets full of homeless people,” he said.
Mr Hopkins also targeted Treasurer Rita Saffioti, over the Perth Park racetrack and spending on events.
“They will not come out and tell us what all these things are costing the taxpayer. We have a right to know,” he said.
Issues close to home bothered some former Labor voters.
“My daughter went to the hospital with a three-year-old baby a couple of weeks ago and she sat there for eight hours waiting to see a doctor,” navy reservist Mark Ferrell said. “The hospital system’s broken.”
Mr Ferrell has received a knock on his door in Port Kennedy from Labor candidate Georgia Tree — and liked her.
“She didn’t seem like overly cocky or overconfident,” he said. “She’s no fool.”
But he’s undecided, and worried she’s more “junior” than the former minister she’s trying to replace.
Neighbour Nick Holbert, a retired police officer, voted Labor in 2025 but said he won’t this time.
“A lot of talk, but they don’t seem to be delivering,” he said.
He’s voting for One Nation, despite reservations.
“She’s got all the good intentions, but has she got what it takes to take the reins,” he said of Pauline Hanson.
He wasn’t put off by Labor’s ads detailing One Nation’s voting record, but wasn’t the only local who raised the silence of Ms Tree at two press conferences in the past week — when a staffer and Mr Cook directed her not to answer questions.
“I’m curious why they didn’t let her speak. I know she’s only young,” Labor voter Suellen Flint said. “It might have been a big mistake”
Ronald Crafter, 77, called Labor’s ads “a bit over the top”.
The Premier defended Labor’s strategy to link One Nation and Liberal leader Basil Zempilas, and the use of unbranded attack ads.
“We’re just stating the facts,” he told reporters on Friday. “One Nation is saying that they should be the representatives in that seat, so we have to look at their track record.
“Media always comments on Labor’s activities. I think it’s time that we should reflect on the experience of Georgia Tree as a young woman putting herself up for public life, the level of aggression, the misinformation which is out there as part of One Nation trolls and bots coming from the east coast.”
Labor has doubled down online, highlighting a photo of Mr Zempilas and One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen chatting. And they’ve also poked fun at video of the Liberal leader posing for photos, captured by a voter’s doorbell camera.
Internal polling by both sides suggests Mr Zempilas can be divisive, but Liberal candidate Ryan Robertson said it helps that he’s recognised.
“He’s like a mini celebrity,” he said. “It’s a great icebreaker too”.
On the campaign trail on Friday, he wasn’t concerned that the Liberal Party is being massively outspent, and called Labor’s attacks proof that the tide has turned against the Cook Government.
“There’s a lot of people still unsure. Overall, overwhelmingly positive for change. But what that change is, I don’t know,” Mr Robertson said.
Labor sources believe One Nation is the bigger threat, with the help of Liberal preferences.
“We understand it’s going to be a tough fight, but we’re up for it,” Mr Cook said.
Most of the two dozen voters keen to share their views were still undecided, many were fed up, including several who voted Labor last year, when then police minister Paul Papalia was re-elected with a comfortable 11.5 per cent margin.
The electorate that stretches from Grand Ocean Boulevard in Baldivis to the northern edge of Mandurah has been safe Labor territory since 1989, but Mr Papalia’s early exit has forced a by-election just as One Nation is surging ahead in national opinion polls.
The bitter campaign is even dividing friends.
“I love Pauline,” Tab said, outside a coffee van in Madora Bay.
She instantly copped a gentle ribbing from her mate, local nurse Jacqui: “Are you serious? Oh my god, we’re not friends anymore,” she said. Jacqui’s undecided, after voting Labor last year.
The third woman in their group, Allara, was undecided too. She’s met Ms Tree, recognised One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen, and was most worried about tax.
“I like a lot of what Pauline Hanson says, don’t like a lot of the way she says it,” she said.
Singleton father Richard Smith wasn’t convinced One Nation is capable and is leaning Liberal because of Labor’s repeated Karnup train station promise.
“One Nation old mate’s background probably isn’t handy,” he said. “I think (Labor) have done their dash.”
For Singleton Beach Cafe owner Brendan Laraia, a growing population equals more customers — but costs are going up.
“Suppliers adding fuel levies to deliveries, rising power costs, gas costs, rates,” Mr Laraia said.
He’s not sure who to blame, or how to fix it. “Undecided,” he said.
Secret Harbour has until August 29 to decide, and politicians on all sides are paying attention to confirm if One Nation’s rise is real and whether WA Labor’s election-winning streak since the Darling Range by-election in 2018 is in danger of being broken.
