`Safe' seats tumble north and south of the river

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THE Labor Party suffered so many defeats in city marginal seats that it was all but tipped out of office.

The Liberal Party wreaked havoc on the Government in the northern suburbs. A 6 per cent swing against Labor saw the Liberals capture Wanneroo, Ocean Reef and Kingsley.

But Colin Barnett's biggest scalps -- which Labor did not see coming -- were stunning wins in Morley and Mt Lawley.

Winning Liberal candidate in Mt Lawley, Michael Sutherland, was last night struggling to come to terms with his surprise victory.

``We had an idea we would be in with a big chance,'' he said. ``Mr Carpenter tried to buy the seat of Mt Lawley and portray her (Karen Brown) as a wonder woman.

``It's amazing I've won. but it just hasn't sunk in yet.''

The writing was on the wall early for the Government as it quickly became obvious it had lost Ocean Reef and Kingsley.

There was ``aggression'' towards the Government at booths in marginal seats.

The Liberal Party also unseated Labor MP Paul Andrews to seize the seat of Southern River.

Liberal candidate Peter Abetz said he had a gut feeling the minute polls closed that he would win.

``We've mounted a pretty formidable campaign at such short notice,'' he said.

Mr Andrews, who had held the seat since 2001, said it was a horrible feeling to lose.

``It feels like having your appendix taken out without any anaesthetic,'' he said. ``I have a beautiful wife and family who I have totally ignored for the best part of 16 years so I think I better start giving them a bit of attention.''

Mr Andrews said if Labor lost the election, Mr Carpenter would have to resign.

``I think he would have to resign, he would be seriously considering it, if not tonight, soon after,'' he said.

In the newly created seat of Jandakot, Liberal candidate Joe Francis was overcome with emotion and fatigue as supporters celebrated at his home in Atwell.

``I'm absolutely worn out,'' he said. ``Im too tired to be happy because I haven't slept.''
Mr Francis hailed Mr Barnett a saviour.

``Colin Barnett is one seat away from the greatest comeback in political history,'' he said. ``The result shows that you can't take your electorate for granted.''

Liberal MP Tony Simpson claimed victory in Darling Range.

Mr Simpson said the result was due to a backlash against Mr Carpenter and the State Government's performance.

``There are three things: Mr Carpenter's arrogance in calling the early election, (the Government) not fixing problems despite the booming economy and the surplus and their negative campaign,'' he said.

One of the few positives for the Government was the faint hope it would hold on to the seat of Riverton.

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MPs who are walking away from politics

as posted on PerthNow

THE following Members of Parliament are walking away from the political arena after today's election.


LABOR PARTY

Kim Chance: Member for the Agricultural Region in the Legislative Council. Leader of the House and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.

Judy Edwards: Member for Maylands in the Legislative Assembly. Former environment minister.
Nick Griffiths: Member for the East Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council. President of the
Upper House and former minister for racing and gaming and government enterprises.

Sheila McHale: Member for Kenwick (renamed Gosnells after electoral redistribution) in the Legislative Council. Minister for Disability Services, Tourism, Culture and the Arts and Consumer Protection.

Sheila Mills: Member for the South Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council.

Batong Pham: Member for the East Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council.

Jaye Radisich: Member for Swan Hills in the Legislative Assembly. Announced her retirement after being overlooked by Premier Alan Carpenter for a new safe Labor seat.

Fred Riebeling: Member for NorthWest Coastal and Speaker for the Legislative Assembly.

LIBERAL PARTY
Matt Birney: Member for Kalgoorlie in the Legislative Assembly. Elected Opposition leader after the 2005 state election, but dumped a year later after a series of gaffes.
George Cash: Member for the North Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council. Former minister for mines and lands and president of the Legislative Council.

Bruce Donaldson: Member for Agricultural Region in the Legislative Council.

Ray Halligan: Member for North Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council and Upper House party whip.

Katie HodsonThomas: Member for Carine in the Legislative Assembly. She announced her retirement after Troy Buswell became Liberal leader in January, saying he had made sexist remarks towards her.

Barbara Scott: Member for the South Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council.

INDEPENDENTS
Shelley Archer: Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region in the Legislative Council. She resigned from the ALP in November 2007 after a parliamentary inquiry found she had leaked confidential committee records to disgraced former premier Brian Burke.

Bob Kucera: Member for Yokine (now divided between Mt Lawley and Nollamara) in the Legislative Assembly. He held several ministries, including health, until he was thrown out of Cabinet over a share scandal in 2005. He was overlooked for preselection in Mt Lawley and Nollamara and later resigned from the ALP.

Paul Omodei: Member for Warren-Blackwood (now Blackwood-Stirling) in the Legislative Assembly. He overthrew Matt Birney as Opposition leader in 2006 and was himself toppled by Troy Buswell in early 2007. He was involved in several failed attempts to oust Mr Buswell.

as posted on PerthNow