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WA the centre of political attention

Common enemy Clive Palmer. Picture: AAP/Daniel Munoz

For a State that so often gets ignored in Federal elections, WA is going to get more attention than even the most ardent voter might find desirable.

Hang around Swan River bike tracks, Cottesloe beach or the Kwinana industrial strip long enough over the next two months and you'll practically trip over Tony Abbott and/or Bill Shorten at some stage.

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It will be an enormous opportunity for both leaders to acquaint themselves with WA's state of mind in the post-construction boom period.

And it will be a unique chance for Labor and the coalition to take a health check on their political attack lines, 2½ years from the next general election.

The Prime Minister has already advertised any repeat Senate election as a referendum on the carbon and mining taxes, asserting both are "anti-West Australian". But Mr Abbott will be mindful that the Labor campaign on jobs is starting to pinch.

This will influence his campaign, as will his Government's positioning ahead of a tough Budget and Premier Colin Barnett's problems that range from Budget overruns to sharks.

The coalition's decision to take $500 million out of Perth's public transport network will undoubtedly figure high in the ALP's campaign strategy.

If, as party officials are expecting, fewer people vote next time around, there would be obvious reward in energising traditional supporters.

If apathy keeps the less pol-itically engaged from casting a vote, the Liberals, ALP and Greens will be beneficiaries.

And don't think the major parties won't also badger you to be alert about where a vote for a micro-party might go.

Their shared enemy is called Clive.