The election wipe-out in WA has led to a devastating phenomenon for the Liberal Party that hasn’t happened in 88 years.
A bloodbath for the WA Liberals has given outgoing leader Zak Kirkup an unwanted record, becoming the first WA major party leader to lose their seat in 88 years.
The 34-year old held his seat of Dawesville by a wafer-thin 0.8 per cent margin, but was unseated by Lisa Munday as Labor enjoyed a historic surge.
Despite only becoming leader in November as a first-term MP, Mr Kirkup took full responsibility for the loss.
He described losing Dawesville as “devastating” and confirmed it spelled the end of his political career.
“This is a historic election and one like no other,” he told the crowd.
“I think it’s important to recognise the people of Western Australia have had their say.
“And that we must respect their decision. They had a choice and in this instance they have overwhelmingly chosen to elect the McGowan Labor government for a second term in office.
“We lose incredibly good local members of parliament and it means that we lose very good candidates who could have been part of the Liberal Party.
“It is a loss that will be difficult to bear.”
Mr Kirkup was criticised for conceding the Liberals could not win during the campaign.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts said Mr Kirkup “giving up” was not a smart decision.
“Everyone said ‘If they don’t believe in themselves how can you believe in them?’ I got a bit of that feedback at pre-poll, I got it again today,” she said.
Ms Roberts decreed Labor’s spanking victory “an incredible result for Mark McGowan”.
“He can take a lot of the credit for it, absolutely,” she said.
“I think it’s a choice people have made between an experienced responsible government and a very inexperienced Opposition Leader and team opposite us.
“I think this contrast was pretty stark, and while those of us in politics see that, the community clearly have seen it as well.”
