THE POLL BLUDGER
Western Australian Legislative Assembly Election 2008

FREMANTLE Labor 14.2%
Upper house region: South Metropolitan Federal division: Fremantle
	ADELE CARLES Greens JIM McGINTY Labor (top) ANDRIETTE DU PLESSIS Family First BRIAN CHRISTIE Liberal JULIE HOLLETT Christian Democratic Party

Fremantle covers the coastal strip immediately south of Fremantle Harbour and the Swan River, from Fremantle and East Fremantle south through Beaconsfield and South Fremantle to Spearwood (along with Rottnest Island), and has existed as an electorate since the establishment of self-government in 1890. The redistribution has stripped it of 3500 voters east of Hamilton Road and south of Ocean Road (in Hamilton Hill, Spearwood and Coogee), shaving 0.4 per cent from the Labor margin. The seat is as much a jewel in Labor's crown as its federal namesake, having stayed with the party since 1924. Jim McGinty has been the member since a May 1990 by-election brought on by the resignation of David Parker, who had been deposed as Deputy Premier the previous January due to his association with the WA Inc debacle (and would eventually be imprisoned over misuse of party funds). McGinty held the seat against a 7.6 per cent swing, which coming at a time when the Liberals were threatening to force an election by blocking supply was reckoned to be fairly mild.

A former secretary of the Miscellaneous Workers Union, McGinty held portfolios including housing and environment in the Lawrence government and served as Opposition Leader from October 1994 to October 1996, following Carmen Lawrence's move to Canberra and the short reign of Ian Taylor. McGinty continued to dominate the Left faction after being deposed as leader in favour of Geoff Gallop, becoming Attorney-General after the 2001 election and further acquiring the health portfolio in June 2003. He was among those angling to replace Geoff Gallop following his surprise resignation in January 2006, although there was speculation he was merely acting to strengthen his faction’s bargaining position amid post-Gallop horse-trading. It was further said that he planned to retire at the coming election, but he insisted this was not so when pressed by The West Australian in February 2008.

ASSESSMENT: Labor retain