Federal election 2025: Blame game as Labor wins northern suburbs Perth seat for the first time in 38 years

An upset Labor win in the northern suburbs seat of Moore means Andrew Hastie is currently the only Liberal left standing in metropolitan Perth. It was Labor candidate Tom French’s second attempt at the seat, and the party’s first win there in 38 years, aided by the Liberal party’s pre-selection drama that relinquished the power of incumbency. But he wasn’t giving dumped Liberal Ian Goodenough’s independent run the credit, when he claimed victory on Sunday. “I think it was a lot of hard work,” Mr French said. “We spent a lot of time out on doors just talking to people and that’s what we focused on. We weren’t really paying attention to what anyone else was doing. “I’m an electrician by trade, I grew up in hospitality, I bring a broad range of experience to the team. And now I’m just focused on delivering good outcomes to the people of Moore.” He declared housing and cost-of-living his priorities. Mr French was ahead by 5390 votes as counting continued, with a 32.8 per cent primary vote — just ahead of Liberal candidate Vince Connelly on 31.7 per cent. But preferences added up against Mr Connelly, with a Climate-200 funded independent campaign and Greens preferences flowing his way, while Mr Goodenough also polled 9.9 per cent. The former Liberal, who held the seat since 2013, rejected blame for refusing to go quietly and instead reproached party powerbrokers who turfed him out. “Politics can be a very rough game, a blood sport,” he said. “I have been a steady and reliable local member with strong community connections, retaining Moore against the massive electoral wipeout of 2022. “My preselection was taken away not on the grounds of merit but due to a series of internal horse trading deals within the Liberal Party. “The Liberals have lost practically all State and Federal seats in the northern suburbs due to this unhealthy dynamic of preselection deals over merit and community connection.”

Federal election 2025: Blame game as Labor wins northern suburbs Perth seat for the first time in 38 years

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