'Now let's party!': WA Labor claim state election in massive result
Labor has won the WA State Election in a landslide victory, following a massive swing against the Liberal party.
Mark McGowan will become the state's 30th Premier as the Labor party reached the magical 30-seat figure in less than two hours.
"Today West Australia voted for hope and opportunity over desperation and division," Mr McGowan said.
"Today we showed we are a state of decency and intelligence, not a state of stupidity and ignorance.
"Today, as always, Western Australia showed the way for the rest of the country."
Mr McGowan thanked out-going Premier Colin Barnett for his service to the State, but said Labor was the only way forward.
"I’ve met thousands of West Australians over the course of my time as Opposition leader, in schools, hospitals, workplaces, and shopping malls," he said.
"Across the suburbs and across the region, West Australians are hard-working, kind, friendly people, decent people.
"You deserve good government and with my team, I am committed to delivering just that."
Labor picked up a number of seats including Balcatta, Belmont, Bicton, Bunbury, Burns Beach, Collie-Preston, Darling Range, Forrestfield, Joondalup, Kalamunda, Kingsley, Morley, Mount Lawley, Murray-Wellington, Perth, Southern River, Swan Hills, Wanneroo, West Swan.
They needed just 10 new seats to form government.
New Perth member John Carey said "now let's party" after discovering Labor had been successful across the State.
It was a more somber mood at the Liberal headquarters on Saturday night where Mr Barnett conceded defeat.
"We ran, in my view, a great campaign," he said.
"At the end of the day, time was probably the factor."
While votes are still being counted across the state, Colin Barnett's time as Premier comes to an end after two terms.
Deputy Liberal leader Liza Harvey had earlier told 7 News she had a good feeling at the polls on Saturday.
"I am not going to give up until every last vote has been counted," she said.
"We’re getting a very different feeling on the ground to what the polls have been saying."
But it wasn't to be with the Liberals now turning their attention to who will lead the party as Opposition Leader.
Ms Harvey has been the frontrunner, but Minister Joe Francis refused to rule out a run at the job.
"I need to have a seat first, if I win my seat, I'll have a conversation with my colleagues and my better half," he said.
Labor had needed to a 10-seat swing to form government, but has already surpassed that mark as the votes roll in.
