What It Means For Kimberley and Capricornia

Despite a significant swing of at least 18% to the Liberals and Nationals, Labor has been returned for a third term. The Liberals have picked up far fewer seats than expected, winning 5 after 65.5% of votes counted (WAEC). They could pick up another 5 (ABC).

Going into the election, the Liberals and Nationals combined held just five seats in the lower house, after being virtually wiped out in the 2021 election held during the height of the COVID pandemic. The 2021 election was the biggest landslide in Australian political history and came after another considerable Labor win in 2017.

ABC

Labor has won 41.7% of the primary vote. WA’s new Premier is Roger Cook who appears to now be in the only safe seat (Kwinana) in the country with a first preference vote of 61.3%, after a swing against him of 17.9%. A safe seat is held by 60% or more of first preference votes. Roger Cook is riding a wave of popularity generated by former Premier Mark McGowan. During COVID, McGowan quarantined WA from the rest of the country, which seemed to tap in to secessionist sentiments.

Kimberley

Kimberley is one huge electorate covering the whole of the Kimberly region. What happens in Kimberley is important to Capricornia. It would add about 30,000 people and approximately 765,625 square kilometers to the new state. This includes about 1/3rd of the Pilbara and of course the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Whilst Capricornia would still be viable without Kimberley, the federation would be a better distribution of population, land size and resources with it. As part of Capricornia, Kimberley townships would be closer to their capital city, Darwin.

In the Legislative Assembly seat of Kimberley, Divina D’Anna (ALP) was reelected with a -9.8% TPP swing against her to land on a margin of 61. 7% (TPP) and a first preference vote of 44.2% with 50.9% of votes counted.

A redistribution saw the electorate enlarged significantly in area…

… but not in enrolled voters, the areas being brought into the electorate being largely unpopulated parts of East Pilbara, Wiluna and Ngaanyatjarraku Shires.

ABC

By far, Broome is the largest voting block (#74 in the map), followed by Kununurra (64), Derby (60) and Cable Beach (74). Broome and Cable Beach adjoin each other and lean left, while Derby and Kununurra to the east, lean right. Broome’s economy relies on tourism more than Kununarra’s, which has an agricultural industry supported by the massive Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Two regional airlines service the Broome – Kununurra – Darwin route. Nexus, based in Broome and AirNorth based in Darwin.

These political leanings may be a reflection of the local economies.  How might they affect reactions to Capricornia is anyone’s guess at this point. As far as the sentiments of at least one Broome-based tourist business is concerned, I can report that there was very little sympathy for east coast tourists during the pandemic. I lost a considerable deposit after the border was suddenly shut down… and there was no negotiating a credit for later use. Given the concentration of people in Broome, (38% of the population of Kimberley) the way it votes in a plebiscite or referendum on secession to Capricornia would be pivotal. They may be difficult to persuade because it’s the most western point of Capricornia. Being closer to Darwin may not make up for being on Northern Territory time. However, Broome’s voice would be louder in Capricornia. In WA, Broome is the 9th largest city. In Capricornia, it would be the 7th largest.

But does the Kimberley see itself as more northern, than western? How does Ms D’Anna’s constituents feel about the delivery of services, provisions and other state resources that support their communities? Is the distance from Perth and proximity to Darwin relevant? I have contacted her office about this and hope to report back on it later. Stay tuned by subscribing below.

Legislative Council – Upper House

Before the Election, the Legislative Council was divided into 6 electorates with 6 members each to make 36 Councillors. It gave rural voters a larger voice in the Council than urban voters. The Mining and Pastoral Region was the biggest electorate covering 87.27% of Western Australia‘s land area.

Due to its previous landslides, the ALP gained control of the Council. It’s the first time in ages any party has won a majority because it uses proportional representation, which usually mitigates any one party dominating a house of parliament. The ALP was able to use its historic majority in the Legislative Council to introduce reforms that eliminated the gerrymander. The reforms came into effect this election.

In the Legislative Council, 37 candidates are elected across the state, which functions as a single electorate. Amendments made to electoral law have increased the size of the Legislative Council by one member at this election, while abolishing the previous system of six regions of unequal population that each elected six members.

Wikipedia

With 56% of the vote counted, Labor has lost its majority and the Greens – on 4 seats – may have the balance of power (ABC). One seat remains uncertain. Minor parties the ABC is projecting will win seats include the Nationals, Legalize Cannabis, One Nation and Australian Christians.

My review of all elected LC members indicates not one of them is from Kimberley, or has an office based there. This new state of affairs may well cause some in the area to wonder if they wouldn’t be better off in Capricornia.

Only Ms Divina D’Anna will represent the Kimberley. She is touted be the next Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (ABC).

For more information, go to to Capricornia.