Western Australian State General Election 11 March 2017 1Introduction Western Australia faces a state election on 11 March For Christian voters, the choice between the two major parties, Liberal and Labor, 2017. Media coverage leading up to the election is is less straightforward than it once was. Although the Liberal party is opposed focussing largely on economic matters. State debt, to funding radical gender theory in schools and supports the right of Christian taxation of the mining industry, major infrastructure schools to hire Christian teachers, it has also backtracked on two promises. One projects, the sale of government assets and the was the promise to introduce specific fetal homicide laws, and the other was to expansion of public transport are featuring heavily honour the last referendum on Sunday trading. Liberal Premier Colin Barnett has in day-to-day media coverage. Indeed, economic pledged to continue deregulating Sunday trading if he wins this election. management is a matter of great importance for our Politicians’ opinions on euthanasia and abortion cannot be clearly divided along state. Many people connected to the building and party lines. Individual members within both major parties have varying stances, resources industries have felt the effects of the including some Liberal and Labor members who are distinctly pro-life. On economic downturn. A well-running economy which balance, however, the Labor party is becoming more socially radical. Last year’s provides us with employment is important in allowing resignation of Federal Senator Joe Bullock, a former powerbroker in WA Labor, is us to provide for our families and support other indicative of the direction in which Labor is heading. Mr Bullock quit after Labor’s activities in God’s Kingdom. National Conference decided that by 2019 Labor members would have to vote But there’s more to this election. We all like plenty with the party, not their conscience, in favour of same-sex marriage. of jobs, more police and new railway lines, but what In evaluating candidates for this election guide, the ‘life issues’ of abortion about the fundamental, long-term questions which and euthanasia are at the forefront of our assessment. This is not because extend beyond the short-term political cycle? Is we want to perpetuate single-issue or reactionary politics. Indeed, Christian anyone going to address them? What will the future politics is not limited to these two issues, for God’s Word is relevant and impact be of mounting state debt? Why, in one of the applicable to all areas of life. However, we believe that we cannot in good most beautiful and wealthy parts of the world, do we conscience give our first vote to a candidate who is not willing to oppose either have a massive drug problem? Is our pursuit of 24/7 of these two clear evils, where an alternative candidate exists. Although consumerism coming at a social cost? Who will stand marriage itself is a Federal matter, a willingness to defend the family from up for the most vulnerable in our state, the unborn efforts to both weaken marriage and redefine Biblical gender norms has also and elderly? Every day, more than 20 unborn children featured in our assessment. in Western Australia are murdered. Who will defend them? Calls for access to euthanasia are growing We have so much to be thankful for in Western Australia. In comparison to many louder, and draft legislation to allow it may well be western countries, and even other Australian states, our laws on moral issues are presented to this parliament. Who will stand up still relatively conservative. We are able to worship, preach, run Christian schools against it? Vocal minorities are pushing radical sexual and conduct outreach and evangelism in freedom. We have some Christian agendas in an increasingly intolerant manner. Who will members in state parliament who are defending the unborn and striving to bring compassionately but firmly defend Biblical principles Biblical principles to bear in the formation of their party’s policies. Finally, our on marriage and sexuality? Will anyone dare to even voting system makes voting for minor parties a viable option because it allows us use God’s Word in the public sphere? It’s with these to vote preferentially. This means that if we vote for a minor party, and our additional questions in mind that we as Christian candidate does not poll highly enough, our vote can be re-allocated to another voters go to the polls. candidate and party of our choice. In this way, a Christian vote is not ‘wasted’ like it is in countries where voters can only nominate one preferred candidate. Across the Western World, politics is becoming more fragmented and less predictable. There seems to be increasing disillusionment with the status quo, and a It is our prayer that this guide assists you in making a widening gulf between ‘progressive’ and conservative parties. While Western Australia is sheltered from well-considered, Christian vote in this state election. much of this, some effects can already be seen at We commend the outcome of this election and the future of play here. One of these is a massive increase in the our state into the safe hands of our Almighty and loving God. number of parties contesting this election. A total of 16 parties are putting their hat in the ring this year, up from just seven in 2013. Laurence Van der Plas – Research Officer – ARPA 2 1 Introduction . 2. 2 Western Australia’s Political System . 3. 3 Parliament Now . .5 . 4 Political Parties . .6 . 5 Election Q&A . 9. 6 Voting . 10 7 About ARPA . .16 . 8 Acknowledgements . 16. CONTENTS 2Western Australia’s Political System The legislative arm of Western Australia’s system The 59 electoral districts are: of government, as with our federal political system, is a bicameral Parliament consisting East Metropolitan North Metropolitan South Metropolitan of the Legislative Assembly (lower house) and Armadale Balcatta Baldivis Legislative Council (upper house). Bassendean Burns Beach Bateman Belmont Butler Bicton Darling Range Carine Cannington Legislative Assembly Forrestfield Churchlands Cockburn Lower house of Parliament Kalamunda Cottesloe Fremantle Maylands Girrawheen Jandakot House of Government Midland Hillarys Kwinana The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is the Mirrabooka Joondalup Riverton house in which the party with the support of a Morley Kingsley Rockingham majority of members forms government. The Mount Lawley Nedlands South Perth leader of the majority (the Premier) appoints Swan Hills Perth Southern River ministers from the governing party’s membership Thornlie Scarborough Victoria Park in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative West Swan Wanneroo Warnbro Council who jointly become the ministry (cabinet) Willagee or executive government. Bills (proposed laws) are usually introduced in this house and must be Agricultural Mining and Pastural South West passed by majority vote. Central Wheatbelt Kalgoorlie Albany The Legislative Assembly is comprised of 59 Geraldton Kimberley Bunbury members, each representing one of Western Moore North West Central Collie-Preston Australia’s 59 districts of relatively-equal Roe Pilbara Dawesville population. They are elected by a system of Mandurah preferential voting for a fixed period of four years. Murray-Wellington Vasse Warren-Blackwood 3 Legislative Council Upper house of Parliament House of Review The Legislative Council, or ‘upper house’, is elected on a different basis because it is a house of review. If our parliament only had one house, the governing party could pass anything it wanted to. The Legislative Council prevents this from happening, because its 36 members are elected from 6 multi-member regions using a system called ‘proportional representation.’ Under this system, if a party receives 30% of the formal vote, they can expect to receive 30% of the seats for that region. It is in the Legislative Council that minor parties often have more success with their candidates, and where rural areas receive greater representation. The 36 members of the Legislative Council are elected for a fixed term of four years. MINING & PASTORAL REGION 6 members NORTH METROPOLITAN REGION 6 members AGRICULTURAL REGION 6 members EAST METROPOLITAN REGION 6 members SOUTH WEST REGION 6 members SOUTH METROPOLITAN REGION 6 members TOTAL of 36 members For detailed Western Australia Electoral Boundaries visit www.boundaries.wa.gov.au A 2011 act set a fixed date for general elections as the second Saturday in March of every fourth year. The State’s electoral boundaries are reviewed as soon as practicable two years after each State FACTS election. 4 The current composition of 3Parliament Now both houses of parliament: LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (Lower House) MINING & PASTORAL REGION 6 members NORTH METROPOLITAN REGION 6 members AGRICULTURAL REGION 6 members EAST METROPOLITAN REGION 6 members LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (Upper House) SOUTH WEST REGION 6 members SOUTH METROPOLITAN REGION 6 members TOTAL of 36 members 5 4Political Parties The number of parties in this election has more Animal Justice Party than doubled since the last election. Many of these The AJP seek to provide a voice for animals, and list among their goals parties are formed to focus on a single issue or ending the killing of animals for human benefit. Their mission is to promote policy area. This means that it is often difficult to and protect the interests and capabilities of animals by providing a obtain information about how they intend to vote dedicated voice for them in Australia’s political system. The AJP is running on the majority of legislation that comes before upper house candidates together with a few lower house candidates. parliament, if they were to obtain parliamentary representation. BAD POLICY With this in mind, a brief introduction is provided below to parties that you may not have previously To work towards a definition of personhood to replace the current heard of, many of whom are contesting an election property status of animals.