Fremantle and Bullwinkel the two seats to watch in Western Australia post-election

Australia Broadcast Center

04-05-2025

As counting in Western Australia continues, everything has come down to
two seats that are neck-and-neck — Fremantle and Bullwinkel.
Unlike 2022, WA won't determine the outcome of the election — that is done and dusted — but both seats give unique insight into what voters were thinking about.
As election night drew to a close, there were five seats yet to be resolved.
Voters elected Kate Chaney to a second term in parliament.
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ABC News: Jake Sturmer
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But as Sunday morning unfolded in the west, it was confirmed the seat of Curtin would remain in the hands of teal independent Kate Chaney after she fended off close competition from Liberal candidate Tom White.
The seat, which encompasses Perth's affluent western coastal suburbs, was taken off the Liberals in 2022 for only the second time in its long history.
Ben Small is taking over from Liberal retiring MP Nola Marino.
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ABC News: Kate Forrester
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The seat of Forrest, which encompasses most of WA's South West region, was also decided on Sunday afternoon for the Liberals' Ben Small, who took over from retiring MP Nola Marino.
But the big surprise was electrician-turned-lawyer Tom French snatching the northern Perth coastal seat of Moore for Labor from the Liberals.
In fact, Labor's primary vote increased across key seats many thought were in play this election.
But whether Moore will be an overall gain in representation for the ALP in the west comes down to what happens in the two seats left down to the wire.
Fremantle
The federal seat of Fremantle was historically a safe Labor seat, held by a pantheon of famous Labor names including John Curtin and Kim Beazley Sr.
Kate Hulett is proving to be a challenge for Labor's hopes in Fremantle.
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ABC News: Courtney Withers
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That is until Climate-200 backed independent and Fremantle businesswoman Kate Hulett came onto the scene, firstly at the state election just two months ago, when she almost defeated a Labor minister.
On election night, Labor's Josh Wilson looked set to soar through based on first preference votes – but that has drastically changed with preferences kicking in and boosting Ms Hulett's considerable vote, which was much higher than her Liberal challenger.
Labor incumbent Josh Wilson is hoping for a fourth term as the member for Fremantle.
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ABC News: Courtney Withers
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As of Monday morning, Ms Hulett was leading by just a handful of votes.
Bullwinkel
Meanwhile, across the other side of the city, another story is playing out in the seat of Bullwinkel — the only new electorate added this election.
Bullwinkel encompasses farming towns, the luscious Perth hills communities and the Perth metropolitan urban fringe.
The three-way race in Bullwinkel is now down to two, with Labor's Trish Cook against the Liberal candidate.
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ABC News: Courtney Withers
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It was touted as a three-way tie between the Liberals Matt Moran, Labor's Trish Cook and the Nationals Mia Davies, who is a former leader of her state party.
Photo shows
A mural of two sheep painted on a brick wall.
The three-way contest for Bullwinkel — Australia's newest electorate — is shaping up as a fiercely fought battle.
But it was clear on election night Ms Davies wasn't going to make it, and preferences have put Mr Moran and Ms Cook neck and neck.
As of Monday morning, Labor was ever so slightly ahead, but with an overall swing to the Liberals.
"As a midwife, I'm used to waiting," Ms Cook quipped.
The heat is being felt on the other side too.
"I've done a fair few things in my life and I can tell you this has been the toughest,' Mr Moran said.
Labor celebrates
Despite those two races, there was certainly a lot for Labor to celebrate in the west.
Leading the party's celebrations in Perth on Sunday morning was a jubilant Madeleine King, the resources minister.
"It's a remarkable day … what a great gang it is," she said.
The party was also stoked to fend off a key seat in Perth's south the Liberals were vying for, the marginal seat of Tangney, held by dolphin trainer-turned MP Sam Lim.
Results so far show Labor increasing its primary vote in Tangney by 4.9 per cent — with a cumulative swing from 2022 and 2025 now at 15 per cent.
Other seats some predicted were in play this election — Hasluck and Pearce — stayed in Labor's hands, with only slight swings to the Liberals recorded in Pearce and a swing to Labor in Hasluck.
Andrew Hastie — touted to be a potential future leader in the Liberals — convincingly held his seat and increased his margin to 4.7 per cent.
Madeleine King is the only Labor cabinet minister from WA.
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ABC News: Lauren Smith
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Given the state's influence, Ms King — who is the sole WA representative in cabinet — thinks its high time another West Aussie joined her.
"There should be more of us in cabinet," she said.
With those results, she'll be arguing she has a compelling case.
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