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WA state election: Mark McGowan takes crown as Labor claims big win

What a day! As many predicted Labor have claimed victory in the WA election ... but the swing was huge. Mark McGowan is the new premier and his party romped home.

The Premier elect Mark McGowan enters the stage with his family.
The Premier elect Mark McGowan enters the stage with his family. Photo: Brendan Foster

And with this cracking photo of a victorious Mark McGowan we bid you adieu!

Thanks for following our blog throughout the day (a very long day). But fear not, we will be back, live, from 9am tomorrow morning as we bring you all the fall out from a huge night in WA.

 

 

 

 

'I haven't given up'

One seat that hasn't been decided on just yet is the Pilbara and it's very tight at the minute for Brendon Grylls who is at risk of losing out to Labor candidate Kevin Michel.

Even he's worried.

 

Mark McGowan thanks "the greatest people in the greatest state in the greatest country in the world".

Mark McGowan wins WA Election

Mark McGowan's victory speech following Labor's convincing election win. Vision: Nine News Perth.

It's fair to say they've both had a long, exhausting day.

 

 

WAtoday reporter Brendan Foster with new premier Mark McGowan
WAtoday reporter Brendan Foster with new premier Mark McGowan Photo: Brendan Foster

It's certainly succinct...

 

 

 

 

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Outgoing Premier Colin Barnett takes a well-deserved tipple ...

Premier Colin Barnett (with Dixie Marshall) needed a Scotch after the election result.
Premier Colin Barnett (with Dixie Marshall) needed a Scotch after the election result. Photo: Jon Daly

'It was a mistake'

One Nation is set for a disastrous result at the West Australian election, prompting Pauline Hanson to say it was a mistake for the party to enter into a preference deal with the Liberal Party.

With 50 per cent of the vote counted on Saturday night, One Nation was polling just 4.4 per cent of the vote in the WA lower house - far lower than expected.

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Pauline Hanson's deal with the Liberal party did not pay off for either party.
Pauline Hanson's deal with the Liberal party did not pay off for either party. Photo: Tony McDonough

Watch Colin Barnett's concession speech in full here...

 

Colin Barnett concession speech

Outgoing Premier Colin Barnett says time was the factor in the WA Election result.

More from our new Premier...

"With success comes responsibilty and the obligation to implement our programme.

"Its time for a fresh approach.

"We stand for WA jobs. WA jobs first. Police and healthcare, quality education, Metronet and responsible financial management. And we will not privatise Western Power.

"We will get to work immediately, we will consult, listen and work with all Western Australians.

"I've met thousands of West Australians in my time as opposition as leader... West Australians are kind, hardworking, decent, friendly people.

"You deserve good government and im committed to delivering that."

Greatest people, greatest state, greatest country

McGowan takes to the stage....

"Thank you to the people of Western Australia," he said

"The greatest people, in the greatest state, in the greatest country in the world."

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T.N.T

New Premier of WA Mark McGowan says Colin Barnett "very graciously" called him to congratulate him... and now he is taking to the stage at the Labor election party.

He's arrived to the AC/DC tune of T.N.T. Of course?! 

I gave my best shot... my best shot wasn't good enough

"My best shot wasn't good enough, but I can assure you I gave it my best shot." Mr Barnett continued

"I pledged to be a pro-development government and a government of integrity.. and we have.

"The over-riding factor was time. The voters only give a government a certain amount of time. It's a trend."

 

 

 

Colin Barnett has arrived at Cottesloe Golf Club and has just taken to the stage where he is conceeding.

"I would like to thank all of the candidates, all of the campaign teams and the many volunteers across this great state of WA."

"We ran, in my view, a great campaign but at the end of the day our time was probably over."

"I don't think there's much chance of me getting over the line unfortunately"

Liberal Michael Sutherland concedes to Radio 6PR he is unlikely to retain his Mount Lawley seat.   

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It's been a poor night for Pauline Hanson and One Nation, they had been predicted early on to pick up as much as 10 per cent of the vote.

She has blamed the party's poor performance on the Liberal preference deal.

She likened outgoing Premier Colin Barnett to "sour milk" that needed "chucking out". If that's not sour grapes...

Deputy premier Liza Harvey has just arrived at Liberal headquarters, her first words "I need a champagne".

She did claim victory in her seat in Scarborough, but it might not quite be a celebratory champagne.

Liza Harvey won her seat but designs on the top job will have to wait.
Liza Harvey won her seat but designs on the top job will have to wait. Photo: Jon Daly

Joondalup goes to Libs

A rare cheer has just gone up among the Liberal faithful at Cottesloe Golf Club after Jan Norberger retained her seat of Joondalup - one of the tighter seats this election

Bill Shorten congratulates McGowan

The writing was on the wall

The counting in the WA election was just under two hours old before it looked bleak for the Liberal party with Labor on track to record a resounding victory.

Notre Dame University lecturer Martin Drum called the election for Labor just before 7.30.

Here's how the pendulum swung so brutally in the favour of WA Labor

 

 

Mark McGowan casts his vote on Saturday.
Mark McGowan casts his vote on Saturday. 
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