Perth Voice Interactive

Alannah MacTiernan bucked Australia, securing a 2.1 per cent lift in Labor’s primary vote in Perth at last weekend’s federal election.

When all preferences were distributed just 0.9 per cent had been shaved from Labor’s margin.

The Greens’ Jonathan Hallet didn’t fare nearly as well, shedding 5.85 per cent from his 2010 vote, nearly twice the national anti-Greens average, to come in with 10.3 per cent.

Liberal Darryl Moore—considered early in the campaign when Julia Gillard was PM to have a real chance at winning the seat—could only watch in envy as other Liberals across WA scored big swings.

His spotty campaign involved hanging up on the Voice mid-interview, telling us not to call his mobile, and refusing to state his position on equal marriage before getting the all-clear from his party director and campaign team. In the last week of the by-then doomed campaign his social media ancient history made the news in which he’d referred to tenants in disparaging terms.

Amongst the independents, Palmer United Party candidate Gabriel Harfouche grabbed 3.5 per cent, the Australian Christians’ 2.2 and pro-foreign aid campaigner Ant Clark 1.2 per cent. Islamophobic Rise Up Australia proved unpopular in the progressive inner-city suburbs with just 0.5 per cent.

The Voice asked Ms MacTiernan—who’s now been elected to five spheres of government (Perth city council, Legislative Council, Legislative Assembly, Vincent mayoralty, House of Representatives)—when she would be packing her bags for Canberra. She said she was in no hurry and would stick around until parliament resumes.

At what was likely her last meeting as Vincent mayor, staff and councillors presented her with flowers and thanked her for “a wild ride” over the past two years.

With deputy mayor Warren McGrath going on leave the council voted to elect a new acting mayor. Crs John Pintabona and John Carey put their hands up, with Cr Carey winning the secret ballot in what could be a boost to his mayoral campaign.

by DAVID BELL