The seat of Hasluck will be one to watch on election night, May 18. The Liberal Party currently holds the seat with one of the smallest margins nationally, at 2.1%. Last election saw the Labor Party increase their swing by 4%, the question to be answered is whether they can boost their position again.

Featured below is a comprehensive guide to the electorate of Hasluck, detailing information about the seat, its voters and newsworthy events of the 2019 federal election.

Location

The electorate of Hasluck encompasses the outer metropolitan suburbs of Bailup, Beckenham, Beechina, Bickley, Caversham, Gidgegannup, Gorrie, Guildford, Hazelmere, Helena Valley, Jane Brook, Kalamunda, Kenwick, Lesmurdie, Maddington, Maida Vale, Malmalling, Midland, Reservoir, Sawyers Valley, Stratton, The Lakes, Viveash, Walliston, Wattle Grove, Wooroloo and parts of Forrestfield, Middle Swan, Red Hill and South Guildford. Parts of the Mundaring and Kalamunda shires fall under Hasluck, as well as parts of the city of Gosnells and Swan.

History

Hasluck was first seen in the 2001 federal election. From 2001-2004 the seat was held by Labor, followed by Liberal in 2004-2007, back to Labor from 2007-2010 until the Liberals’ Ken Wyatt won the seat in 2010 where he remains.

The electorate is named after two icons. Sir Paul Hasluck (1905-1993) who worked as a diplomat, in the House of Representatives and as Attorney General, and author Dame Alexandra Hasluck (1908-1993).

The candidates

Liberal Party: Ken Wyatt

Ken Wyatt became the member of parliament for Hasluck in 2010 and has held the position since. He made history by becoming the first Indigenous minister in federal government in 2015. Wyatt now holds the title Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, and Minister for Indigenous Health.

Wyatt identifies living costs, jobs and aged care as prominent issues for voters in Hasluck and is campaigning strongly for improved mental health services and an increase in funding to the sector.

The party has promised over $380 million in funding for Hasluck. Spending will go towards the extension of Hazelmere road, upgrades to Tonkin Highway and the intersections on Great Eastern Highway and Old Northam Road, community sporting facilities, implementation of the Choices Program, Pioneers Aboriginal Corporation basketball program

Ken Wyatt’s nephew, Ben Wyatt, is the treasurer for Mark McGowan’s Labor State Government.

Australian Labor Party (ALP): James Martin

James Martin has a background working in business and finance. Ensuring small businesses are prosperous is a key issue for Martin, stemming from his own experience as a small business owner.

Martin has been campaigning strongly on proposed infrastructure, roads and public transport upgrades.

The ALP has promised $1.76 billion in funding for Hasluck. Spending will go towards public transport, playgroups, TAFE, the removal of six level crossings and upgrades to the Kalamunda Sports Centre and Tonkin and Roe Highways.

Greens: Lee-Anne Miles

Lee-Anne Miles is advocating for lowered household bills and improving the cost of living for people living in the electorate. This is set to be achieved by increasing taxes on larger businesses. Increasing funding for public schools and hospitals is also a key issue the party is raising, alongside a ban on fracking.

If elected Miles said the introduction of a Midland skate park and preserving Guildford’s heritage will be enacted.

United Australia Party (UAP) : Mike Dale

Previously working in the health sector and with small businesses a key election issue Mike Dale is pushing is the control over the port at Cape Preston. Dale alleges that China’s influence at the port needs to be diminished as the Chinese pose a threat to Australian exports. Tax cuts and affordable living are additional issues Dale is campaigning for.

One Nation: Tim Orr

There is a degree of vagueness to Tim Orr’s promises for Hasluck. According to Orr, he intends to defend issues affecting local people, however there is no mention of what these issues may be.

Western Australia Party: Stephen Phelan

A major election issue for the Western Australian Party is the proposal for the state to gain a “100% per capita share of the national GST pool”. Alongside this, a shift towards renewable energy, upgrading infrastructure, improved mental health services and retaining negative gearing and franking credits are being campaigned for.

Australian Christian Party: Brady John Williams

Brady John Williams is currently the Vice President and Membership Registrar for the Australian Association of for Religious Education WA. Williams is a strong advocator for implementing “Christian Values” to government schools and increasing community interaction with said values.

The party is pro-life, anti-same-sex marriage, and support the idea that climate change is natural and not caused by humans.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party: Fiona White Hartig

The party is advocating for the loosening of restrictions surrounding firearms, the reduction of “strict” legislation targeting fishers (such as catch limits), an investment into the agriculture sector, and more effective bushfire policy.

What has made the news this election

The original ALP candidate for Hasluck, Lauren Palmer, revoked her candidacy in July last year. Palmer said high level stress played a role in her departure alongside unfavourable polling, showing a swing against the Labor Party.

Liberal candidate Ken Wyatt made headlines in early May due to the release of details suggesting the occurrence of work place bullying. Allegedly one of Wyatt’s senior advisers fuels a noxious work environment which Wyatt “enables”. A government inquiry investigated the matter, however, Wyatt is choosing not to release the report, denying claims of any inappropriate behaviour.

Most recently Wyatt is facing scrutiny from the Labor Party over accusations he is working with Clive Palmers’ United Australia Party. The accusation follows the emergence of photos online of Wyatt holding UAP signs. Wyatt strongly denies the claims stating he was just clearing them after a polling event.