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$1m ad blitz fails to boost Labor

Labor and the unions have forked out more than $1 million on a month-long radio and television advertising blitz, compared with just $151,000 spent by the Liberals throughout the campaign.

But if public polling results are any indication, then the 10 to one spending ratio has been a waste of money as Premier Colin Barnett's Government looks almost certain to be re-elected on March 9.

Figures obtained by _The West Australian _ reveal that Labor has spent $384,000 on electronic advertising since January 27, while various unions have spent almost $700,000 on a negative campaign against Mr Barnett over the same period.

According to the documents, UnionsWA has led the way with more than $200,000 spent on a campaign depicting the Premier as ruling over the "Wait a While" State.

The Australian Nursing Federation, chasing a pay deal from the Government, spent $44,300 on six days of radio commercials alone.

The spending comparison shows Labor has outlaid between $5000 and $30,000 a day since the end of last month and unions have spent as much as $66,000 a day.

Despite the onslaught, the latest opinion poll published yesterday has the Liberals poised to win 56 per cent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis. Labor was at 44 per cent.

The Galaxy poll also predicted a swing away from Labor, which could give the Liberals enough of the 59 available seats to govern in their own right and avoid doing another deal with the WA Nationals.

"If that poll is accurate, then the people of Western Australia will have an arrogant and out of touch government for the next four years," Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said.

"That's the choice."

Mr Barnett said he hoped the poll was correct, but he was not taking anything for granted.

The opinion poll, like other voter surveys, suggests the advertising tactics seem to have helped Mr McGowan's personal approval rating against Mr Barnett.

Labor State director Simon Mead denied the party was working in concert with the unions and did not apologise for the amount spent.

"We started a long way behind," Mr Mead said. "We have the better ideas and we had to go out and sell those better ideas."