With the 2025 federal election campaign gathering momentum, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have both launched high-profile campaign events in Western Australia, a critical battleground that could tip the balance of power in Canberra.
Western Australia, home to a slew of marginal electorates and a booming resources sector, is being aggressively courted by both Labor and the Coalition. In the last election, WA delivered several key seats that helped Labor secure a majority. Both parties now understand that maintaining or flipping those seats will be essential to their respective election hopes.
Albanese’s pitch: Infrastructure, unity, and economic stability
Prime Minister Albanese began his campaign push in WA with a ferry ride across Perth’s Swan River alongside Premier Roger Cook, before announcing a $60 million expansion of the city’s ferry network. The investment, part of a broader Metronet infrastructure plan, aims to improve public transport while promoting sustainable urban growth.
“We need to represent the whole of Australia, not just the east coast or Canberra,” Albanese told reporters.
“This investment is a down payment on our commitment to the people of WA, a sign that we value your contribution to our national economy.”
The Prime Minister used the opportunity to differentiate Labor from the Coalition, painting Peter Dutton as someone out of touch with WA priorities. Albanese also defended his government’s economic credentials, pointing to falling inflation, low unemployment, and major investments in healthcare, education, and clean energy.
“Since we came into office, we’ve created more than a million jobs. Wages are rising, inflation is coming down, and we are rebuilding Australia’s international reputation,”
he said.
However, Albanese was forced to address internal policy concerns, notably the government’s proposed “nature positive” laws aimed at strengthening environmental regulations. He confirmed that the original version of the bill would be rewritten following opposition in the Senate and feedback from industry.
“We will sit down with both environmental and industry stakeholders to get this right,” he said.
“We need a national EPA, but we also need a policy that is workable.”
Dutton’s counterattack: Cost of living, energy policy, and security
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton hit the campaign trail with renewed energy after a shaky start to his campaign. At a rally in Perth’s Mount Pleasant Bowling Club, Dutton launched a scathing attack on Labor’s economic management, describing the cost-of-living crisis as the result of Albanese’s “failed leadership.”
“Everywhere I go, Australians tell me they are struggling to make ends meet,” Dutton said.
“Fuel, groceries, mortgages, and power bills are all up. Labor promised relief, but they’ve delivered pain.”
Flanked by Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash and Indigenous Australians spokesperson Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Dutton promised to scrap Labor’s proposed vehicle emissions standards, which the Coalition has dubbed a “car tax,” and pledged to slash petrol excise for 12 months, saving motorists 25 cents per litre.
He also renewed his call for a national east coast gas reservation policy, which he claims will reduce household gas and electricity bills by up to 15 per cent.
“We sit on some of the world’s largest gas reserves. It’s time to use them for our own benefit, not just for export profits,”
Dutton said.
Dutton also highlighted national security, referring to recent revelations that he was the target of a terror plot thwarted by intelligence agencies earlier this year. He praised the police and intelligence services and framed the incident as a reminder of the importance of strong leadership.
The WA battleground
Both major parties are focusing their efforts on a cluster of marginal WA seats including Swan, Hasluck, and Tangney. The Coalition is especially keen to reclaim blue-ribbon electorates such as Curtin, which fell to independent Kate Chaney in 2022.
Dutton conducted a walk-through in Cottesloe with Liberal candidate Tom White, aiming to re-establish connections with affluent voters disenchanted by the Liberal Party’s direction in recent years. The relaxed campaign style—complete with sausage sizzles and street chats—was a clear attempt to humanize Dutton and rebuild grassroots support.
Meanwhile, Albanese emphasised the strong Labor ties already established in WA, noting that his government has delivered unprecedented infrastructure investment and is committed to maintaining strong ties with Premier Cook’s state administration.
As both leaders gear up for their official campaign launches, the battle for Western Australia is heating up. Albanese is set to formally launch Labor’s campaign from Perth—a strategic choice that signals just how important WA has become in national politics.
With cost of living, housing affordability, energy security, and infrastructure all dominating the campaign narrative, WA voters are being courted with policy promises and funding pledges from both sides. Whether Labor can defend its red wall or the Coalition can reclaim its lost heartland will likely determine the outcome of the 2025 federal election.
As the campaign trail winds on, one thing is clear: Western Australia is no longer just the “wild west” of Australian politics—it’s the kingmaker.
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