WA Election: Why should you care?

New series: What the F*ck is Politics?

By BART LEWIS  

Today Western Australians are heading to the polls, which may see the state elect a new premier for the first time in eight years.

It may seem like just another run-of-the-mill state election, with voters picking either the Liberals or Labor over issues and debates we have heard before.

However, not only may this election see WA's long-running Liberal government tumbled, it may consolidate the recent rise of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party.

Here's the skinny on the election so far.

The Libs in decline

WA has had a two-term Liberal government lead by Colin Barnett, but today is likely to see the Labor Party, led by Mark McGowan, take control in the Lower House.

Political analyst Dr Natalie Mast, from the University of Western Australia, said Mr Barnett’s Liberal government was in decline because of the economic downturn.

“Fundamentally it is the Western Australian economy … we have just gone through the most unexpectedly large boom and the bust is a little more than we have expected and certainly more than the Premier anticipated,” Dr Mast said to The Conversation on March 7.

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Pauline Hanson has been prominent in the media since her election and her following may be growing.

The Federal Liberal government has not been particularly helpful to its WA buddy.

WA receives 30c in the dollar from GST revenue generated by the state, which is much lower than their eastern counterparts, who receive closer to 90c.

The current WA government has also lost favour through its plan to sell 51 per cent of the state-owned electricity provider Western Power if re-elected, which Premier Barnett said would allow the state to pay down $8 billion worth of debt.

These policy issues, combined with the Liberals' substantial years power, has led to a predicted Labor win.

One Nation is heading west

Today’s election also showcases the rise of the One Nation Party with leader Pauline Hanson earlier in the campaign predicting her party would pick up 13 to 14 per cent of the primary vote.

At the state level, One Nation’s policies range from increased funding for policing and community safety and plans to address the state’s energy and mineral issues.

However, One Nation’s political clout remains uncertain. Fairfax media ran an independent poll last week that predicted the party would achieve a less-than-expected 9 per cent of the primary vote.

But Murdoch University political analyst Dr Ian Cook said One Nation might have a fighting chance in the Upper House, predicting the party would win three  of the 36 seats.

"That their candidates don't toe a party line may be why many people vote for them,” Mr Cook told WAtoday on March 3.

One Nation and other smaller parties may be making a stir in the West due to voters' growing frustration with the major parties.

A Fairfax media poll last week showed 74.8 per cent of One Nation voters said they would vote for the Hanson-led party because they were fed up with Labor and the Liberals.

To follow the election live head to: http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wa-election-2017/