THE POLL BLUDGER
Western Australian Legislative Assembly Election 2008

WEST SWAN Labor 10.6%
New electorate Upper house region: East Metropolitan Federal divisions: Cowan/Perth/Pearce/Hasluck
	BARBARA BUTLER Christian Democratic Party ROD HENDERSON Liberal (bottom) CHRIS FAYLE Independent MICHAEL BOSWELL Greens RITA SAFFIOTI Labor (top)

Obviously the last electorate in the region finalised by the boundaries commissioners, West Swan mops up disconnected areas at the inland edge of the northern suburban corridor, taking most of its voters from Ballajura (the seat of that name having been abolished) along with the northern and eastern edges of Beechboro (from Bassendean) and Landsale in the north-west (from Wanneroo), and further extending to Henley Brook at the distant opposite end of the Swan Valley (from Swan Hills). The latter area slightly reduces the margin in a seat which otherwise covers safe Labor territory.

Labor's candidate is Rita Saffioti, who served in senior positions in the Department of Premier and Cabinet under Geoff Gallop before winning promotion to chief-of-staff under Alan Carpenter. At the time the redistribution was announced it was reported that Saffioti had her eyes on the southern suburbs seat of Jandakot, but when the dust settled she appeared headed for a showdown in West Swan with Jaye Radisich, who was determined to pursue a safer option than her existing marginal seat of Swan Hills. The matter was determined in Saffioti's favour when Alan Carpenter insisted Radisich stand and fight in West Swan. This was seen to colour Radisich's subsequent decision to quit politics at the age of 32, and perhaps also her refusal to deny rumours Carpenter had lifted her shirt and revealed her bra at a party function in 2004.

The Liberal candidate is Rod Henderson, president of the Swan Valley Progress Association.

ASSESSMENT: Labor retain