The electorate of Tangney is WA’s most marginal seat and is named after Dame Dorothy Tangney, who was the first female member of the Australian senate.
In 2022, Labor’s Sam Lim snatched it from the Liberals, with a margin of 2.8 per cent, ending a 30-year Coalition stronghold of Tangney.
The seat added Leeming to its boundaries after the Federal Redistribution in 2024 and it takes in suburbs along the southern shores of the Swan and Canning Rivers.
More than 180,000 people call the electorate home and its residents are relatively wealthy, with higher than average incomes, education levels and home ownership.
More than 20 per cent of the electorate’s population are born outside of Australia.
Who are the Candidates?
Liberal Party: Howard Ong
Howard Ong began his career in politics in 2024 and is already competing for WA’s most marginal seat, Tangney.
Mr Ong grew up in Singapore where he completed his compulsory military service before moving to WA to study Business and IT at Curtin University.
He has served as a system analyst for Singapore’s Ministry of Health, before moving on to become a data analytics consultant for various government departments.
In his current campaign Mr Ong wants to make sure other people get the same opportunities he did to get ahead in life.
Mr Ong has pledged to focus on home ownership for young people, dealing with cost-of-living pressures, supporting local businesses and ensuring Tangney remains a vibrant and safe community.
In 2024, Howard Ong and Liberal Party Leader, Peter Dutton made a pledge to invest $112.5 million to widen shelly bridge and ease congestion on Leach Highway.
The Mayor of Canning, Patrick Hall supported the decision calling it a “game changer” for residents in Swan and Tangney.
Labor Party: Sam Lim
After a decisive battle in 2022, Sam Lim, managed to wrestle the seat of Tangney from the Coalition’s claws, beating Ben Morton for the seat by just 2.8 per cent.
Now, Mr Lim, the dolphin trainer, turned police officer, turned politician is competing once again for the seat of Tangney.
Mr Lim has stated only the Albanese government can “deliver” his goals for good jobs, quality education and healthcare.
Like his opposition Howard Ong, Sam Lim is an immigrant and is hoping to appeal to the large migrant community in his electorate.
Previously, Sam Lim has won awards as a Diversity Engagement Officer with the WA police force, for his work with multicultural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite his mostly clean career, Sam Lim found himself in some controversy at the end of 2024.
In November, Mr Lim attended a protest against offshore detention centres; where he questioned the protesters about why they were there, and why people didn’t just immigrate legally.
“Mr Lim showed a total lack of regard for what these people are going through,” protestors told SBS.
A couple of months later, Mr Lim would again face controversy when his phone was allegedly compromised, and messages were sent falsely quoting the prime minister.
The Greens: Eric Hayward
Eric Hayward is fighting for more to be done about the cost-of-living and housing crisis, alongside national unity.
Mr Hayward is a postgraduate researcher at UWA and a lecturer at Murdoch University. He also has experience as a teacher and as a solicitor for Legal Aid.
He is a strong advocate for “indigenous histories” and the health of the local environment.
Over the course of his campaign the health of the Canning River will remain a priority, Mr Hayward has said.
Eric Hayward stands for more social housing, bringing mental and dental health into medicare, and protecting the environment, he says.
Beyond his campaign goals, Mr Hayward is a big advocate for judicial reform, stating that the justice system is dismissive of cases involving indigenous Australians, particularly woman.
Mr Hayward has also said: “I would like to see the aboriginal flag incorporated into our national flag, replacing the Union Jack”.
In February 2025, Eric Hayward called for the establishment of a bipartisan Truth Telling Commission ahead of WA’s two-hundred-year anniversary of establishment celebrations in 2029.
Legalise Cannabis: Phillip Raymond Leslie
Phillip Raymond Leslie has spent most of his life working as a professional fisherman, as a truck driver and for more than 20 years running a chilli business.
Mr Leslie has pledged to address domestic violence and sexual violence issues, support women’s health and reproductive rights and recognise carers for their work.
He believes in the power of cannabis as “medicine” and as a long-time pain sufferer, has championed its effectiveness when compared to pharmaceutical alternatives.
“It’s time we recognise the benefit and move forward with compassion and common sense”, Phillip Leslie said.
The legalise cannabis party advocates for civil liberties, privacy, anti-discrimination and compassion.
The Legalise Cannabis Party believes that cannabis should be treated in a similar way to alcohol and tobacco but should not be subjected to increasing consumer taxes.
One Nation: Steve Kefalinos
Steve Kefalinos is allegedly running for the electorate of Tangney but is not listed on One Nation’s website for Federal Elections.
Earlier this year at WA’s state election, Steve Kefalino ran for Vasse and managed to get 4.9 per cent of votes.
Now with his federal campaign missing, it’s unclear what his goal is.
However, we can extrapolate from his state election campaign that they’re likely to be similar.
As an individual with experience in the mental health care sector, Mr Kefalinos has previously advocated for improved access to quality mental and physical health care.
He is standing with One Nation because he believes there should be a royal commission into the COVID-19 pandemic and that the influence of gender ideology is harmful to children.
He has said that he supports local businesses and enterprise, lowering housing and building tax and keeping foreign ownership out of Australia.
Australian Christians Party: James Rai
Mr Rai is high school teacher with more than 13 years of experience across Singapore and Perth.
He believes that faith and freedom must be “safeguarded” and that every vote has the power to shape a world where Christians can thrive.
His core values are centralised around educating young people and helping them find a sense of purpose in life.
Since migrating to Perth 7 years ago with his wife and children, he says he has been committed to protecting the hiring rights of Christian schools.
The Australian’s Christians Party opposes abortion and assisted suicide reforms, they oppose vaccination mandates and are calling for a restructure of the current national disability insurance.
